HIVE-BEES. 107 



" Different experiments proved the identity of this 

 substance Avith propohs; and now, having only to 

 discover how the bees apphed it to use, we peopled 

 a hive, so prepared as to fulfil our views. The bees, 

 building upwards, soon reached the glass above ; 

 but, unable to quit their habitation, on account 

 of rain, they were three weeks without bringing 

 home propolis. Their combs remained perfectly 

 white until the beginning of July, when the state of 

 the atmosphere became more favourable for our ob- 

 servations. Serene warm weather engaged them to 

 forage, and they returned from the fields laden with 

 a resinous gum, resembling a transparent jelly, and 

 having the colour and lustre of the garnet. It was 

 easily distinguished from the farinaceous pellets then 

 collected by other bees. The workers bearing the 

 propohs ran over the clusters suspended from the 

 roof of the hive, and rested on the rods supporting 

 the combs, or sometimes stopped on the sides of their 

 dweUing, in expectation of their companions coming 

 to disencumber them of their burden. We actually 

 saw two or three arrive, and carry the propolis from 

 off the limbs of each with their teeth. The upper 

 part of the hive exhibited the most animated spec- 

 tacle: thither a multitude of bees resorted from all 

 quarters, to engage in the predominant occupation 

 of the collection, distribution, and application of the 

 propolis. Some conveyed that of which they had 

 unloaded the purveyors in their teeth, and deposited 

 it in heaps; others hastened, before its hardening, to 

 spread it out like a varnish, or formed it into strings, 

 proportioned to the interstices of the sides of the 

 hive to be filled up. Nothing could be more diver- 

 sified than the operations carried on. 



" The bees, apparently charged with applying the 



propolis from the tacamahacatree {Populus balsamifcra.) — ■ 

 Introd.j ii. 186. 



