HYMENOPTERA. 323: 
a 
perceive the little plates of wax by slightly raising the last rings 
of the bee’s abdomen. Fig. 315 represents a bee very heavily — 
laden with this matter. 
The working bees suspend themselves from the roof of the hive 


Fig. 316.—Clusters of Bees. 
in such a manner as to form festoons. The first clings to the 
roof with his front legs, the second hooks himself on to the hind 
legs of the first, and so on, as is shown in Fig. 316. They in 
this manner form chains, fixed by the two ends to the roof, 
which serve as a bridge or ladder to the bees which join this 
assembly. 
The result of all this is at last a cluster or swarm of bees which 
hangs down to the bottom of the hive. In this attitude they 
remain at first motionless, waiting till the honey in their stomachs 
is changed into wax. When the wax is sufficiently elaborated in 
its organs, one of them detaches itself from the group of which it 
x2 
