CHAPTER IV. 



COMB. 



Wax is a natural secretion of the bees ; it may be called 

 their oil or fat. If they are gorged with honey, or any 

 liquid sweet, and remain quietly clustered together, it is 

 formed in small wax pouches on their abdomen, and comes 

 out in the shape of very delicate scales. Soon after a 

 swarm is hived, the bottom board will be covered with these 

 scales. 



" Thus, filtered through yon flutterer's folded mail. 

 Clings the cooled wax, and hardens to a scale. 

 Swift, at the well known call, the ready train, 

 (For not a buz boon Nature breathes in vain,) 

 Spring to each faUing flake, and bear along 

 Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. 

 These with sharp sickle or with sharper tooth, 

 Pare each excrescence, and each angle smooth, 

 Till now, in finish'd pride, two radiant rows 

 Of snow white cells one mutual base disclose. 

 Six shining panels gird each polish'd rotmct, 

 The door's fine rim, with waxen fillet bound, 

 While walls so thin, with sister walls combined. 

 Weak in themselves, a sure dependence find." 



Eva7is. 



Huber was the first to demonstrate that wax is a natural se- 

 cretion of the bee, when fed on honey or any saccliarine sub- 

 stance. Most Apiarians before his time, supposed that it was 

 made from pollen or bee-bread, either in a crude or digest- 

 ed state. He confined a new swarm of bees in a hive placed 

 in a dark and cool room, and on examining them, at the end 



