CHAPTER V. 



PROPOLIS, OR " BEE GLUE." 



This substance is obtained by the bees from the resinous 

 buds and iimbs of trees; and when first gathered, it is usual- 

 ly of a bright golden color, and is exceedingly sticky. The 

 different kinds of poplars furnish a rich supply. The bees 

 bring it on their thighs just as they do bee bread ; and I 

 have caught them as they were entering with a load, and 

 taken it from them. It adheres so firmly that it is difficult to 

 remove it. 



" Huber planted in Spring some branches of the wild pop- 

 lar, before the leaves were developed, and placed them in 

 pots near his Apiary ; the bees alighting on them, separated 

 the folds of the largest buds with their forceps, extracted the 

 varnish in threads, and loaded with it, first one thigh and 

 then the other ; for they convey it like pollen, transferring it 

 by the first pair of legs to the second, by which it is lodged 

 in the hollow of the third." The smell of the propolis is' 

 often precisely similar to that of the resin from the poplar, 

 and chemical analysis proves the identity of the two sub- 

 stances. It is frequently gathered from the alder, horse- 

 chestnut, birch, and willow ; and as some think, from pines 

 and other trees of the fir kind. I have often known bees 

 to enter the shops where varnishing was being carried on, 

 attracted evidently by the smell : and Bevan mentions the 

 fact of their carrying off a composition of wax and turpen- 

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