THE CONTENTS OF THE HIVE. 21 



Worker cells are small, measuring five to the inch 

 across the mouths of the cells, and drone cells four 

 to the inch. The thickness of the comb when con- 

 taining worker-brood is J inch ; and when containing 

 di-one brood IJ inch. By cutting through a comb from 

 top to bottom, and dividing the cells, it will be noticed 

 that in building the combs the bees give a slight up- 

 ward pitch to the cells. This peculiarity it is necessary 

 to bear in mind, when combs in a box or skep are 

 being transferred and fitted into frames. 



Queen cells are found in a hive, as a rule, only at 

 swarming time. They are acorn-shaped, and are 

 usually built on the bottom edges of the comb. If the 

 bees lose their queen during the summer, queen-cells 

 are built on the face of the comb in any part where 

 the cells contain worker eggs. 



Honey. 



Honey is found in the combs in quantity varying 

 according to surrounding circumstances. This, the 

 most delicious of sweets, forms the natural food of the 

 insects that produce it. The substance of which it is 

 composed, as originallj- secreted by the flowers, is 

 termed nectar, and not until it has undergone chemical 

 change within the body of the bee, and been stored 

 in the combs, is it known by the familiar name of 

 honey. 



Having already passed through certain digestive 

 processes it is, as food for man, of great value, inas- 

 much as it is at once taken directly into the system 

 as a force-producer, without passing through the stages 



