86 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



tine, from trees to which it had been applied. Dr. Evans 



says that he has seen them collect the balsamic varnish 



which coats the young blossom buds of the hollyhock, and 



has known them to rest at least ten minutes on the same bud, 



moulding the balsam with their fore feet, and transferring it 



to the hinder legs, as described by Huber. 



" With merry hum the Willow's copse they scale, 

 The Fir's dark pyramid, or Poplar pale, 

 Scoop from the Alder's leaf its oozy flood, . 

 Or strip the Chestnut's resin-coated bud, 

 Skim the light tear that tips Narcissus' ray, 

 Or round the Hollyhock's hoar fragrance play. 

 Soon temper'd to their will through eve's low beam, 

 And link'd in airy bands the viscous stream, 

 They waft their nut-brown loads exulting home, 

 That form a fret-work for the future comb ; 

 Caulk every chink wheie rushing winds may roar. 

 And seal their circling ramparts to the floor." 



Evans. 



A mixture of wax and propolis is used by the bees to 

 -strengthen the attachments of the combs to the top and 

 sides of the hive, and serves most admirably for this pur- 

 pose, as it is much more adhesive than wax alone. If the 

 combs, as soon as they are built, are not filled with honey 

 or brood, they are beautifully varnished with a most delicate 

 coating of this material, which adds exceedingly to their 

 strength : but as this natural varnish impairs their delicate 

 whiteness, they ought not to be allowed to remain in the 

 surplus honey receptacles, accessible to the bees, unless 

 when they are actively engaged in storing them with honey. 



The bees make a very liberal use of this substance to 

 fill up all the crevices about their premises : and as the 

 natural summer heat of the hive keeps it soft, the bee moth 

 selects- it as a proper place of deposit for her eggs. For 

 this reason, the~ hive should be made of sound lumber, en- 

 irely free from cracks, and thoroughly painted on the inside 

 as well as outside. When glass is used, there is no risk 



