90 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



is often above a foot under the surface, and is 

 entered by a passage or gallery. When complete, 

 she lines it with soft leaves, and then proceeds to 

 make her waxen cells. This she does so quickly,* 

 that she can build a cell, fill it with honey and pol- 

 len, deposit one or two eggs in it, and cover them 

 in, in little more than half an hour. A number of 

 these cells are thus constructed ; the eggs are 

 hatched, and the little worms, increasing rapidly in 

 size, at last spin silken cocoons, and undergo the 

 usual changes. The workers are the most nume- 

 rous portion of the population, and have abundant 

 employment throughout the summer. One of 

 their first cares is to line the roof of their nest with 

 wax, to keep it warm and prevent water from 

 filtering through. The wax of these insects is not 

 so delicate, white, firm, or fusible as that of the 



* The rapid formation of wax in the case of humble bees is 

 very remarkable. Huber confined a number of them, and fed 

 them during many days with pollen only ; they produced no wax, 

 constructed no cells, and laid no eggs ; but on giving them honey, 

 wax was produced in a few minutes, and the work of the colony 

 proceeded. 



