HIVE-BEES. 97 



scales, though he conjectured they might be taken 

 up by others, if they were once shaken out from 

 between the rings.* 



We jieed not be so much surprised at mistakes 

 committed upon this subject, when we recollect that 

 honey itself was believed by the ancients to be an 

 emanation of the air — a dew that descended upon 

 flowers, as if it had a limited commission to tall 

 only on them. The exposure and correction of error 

 is one of the first steps to genuine knowledge; and 

 when we are aware of the stumbling-blocks which 

 have interrupted the progress of others, we can 

 always travel more securely in the way of truth. 



That wax is secreted, is proved both by the wax 

 pouches within the rings of the abdomen, and by 

 actual experiment. I Huber and others fed bees 

 entirely upon honey or sugar, and, notwithstanding, 

 wax was produced and combs formed as if they had 

 been at liberty to select their food. " When bees 

 were confined," says M. Huber, " tor the purpose of 

 discovering whether honey was sufficient for the 

 production of wax, they supported their captivity 

 patiently, and showed uncommon perseverance in 

 rebuilding their combs as we removed them. 

 Our experiments required the presence of grubs; 

 honey and water had to be provided; the bees 

 were to be supphed with combs containing brood, 

 and at the same time it was necessary to con- 

 fine them, that they might not seek pollen abroad. 

 Having a swarm by chance, which had become use- 

 less from sterility of the queen, we devoted it for 

 our investigation in one of my leaf hives, which was 

 glazed on both sides. We rtnioved the queen, and 

 substituted combs containing eggs and young grubs, - 

 but no cell with farina; even the smallest particle of 



* Philosophical Trans, for 1792, p. 143. i See p. 103. 



VOL. IV. 9 



