IMPRESSED WAX SHEETS. 155 



frame or bar : place the wax sheet against this, then 

 wedge another strip close to it, and thus hold the 

 wax sheet firmly in the centre of the frame, taking 

 care also to make the second strip of wood fast with 

 brads. 



The wax plates must not extend to the bottom of the 

 frame ; a space of at least one inch should be left for 

 expansion, because the bees, in working the plate, 

 stretch it dowTi lower. We also use a few pins firmly 

 pressed into the fi-ames, and long enough to reach the 

 edge of the plate ; for by fixing three or four pins on 

 either side, both at the sides and at the bottom, the 

 plate may be held in an exactly central position within 

 the fi-ame. As before mentioned, when these directions 

 are carried out, there is no fear of being troubled with 

 crooked combs or bars. 



The secretion of wax, and the method of its adapta- 

 tion by the bees, is thus admirably described by Evans : — 



'■' Thus filtered through your fiutterer's folded mail 

 Ch'-ig'. the cooied wax, and hardens to a scale. 

 Swi't at the well-known call, the ready train 

 (For not a buzz boon Nature breathes in vain) 

 Spring to each falling Sake, and bear along 

 Their glossy burdens to t!)e builder throng. 

 The;e, with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth. 

 Pare each excrescence and each angle smooth. 

 Till r.ow, in fini^h'd pride, two radiant rows 

 Of sno .v-.vhite cells one mutual base disclose j 

 Six shining panels gird each polish 'd round. 

 The door's fine rim, with waxen nllet bound. 



