SUMMER MANAGEMENT. 181 
till the cell is filled, when they close it altogether— 
reserving its treasure for use during winter and 
spring. Pollen, as brood food, is kept in cells of 
considerable size.” 
Propolis.—To attach the combs firmly in their 
place, the bees employ a pliable greyish substance 
of balsamic odour, called propolis, which is a 
glutinous exudation from certain trees, or their 
buds, and which they collect immediately on swarm- 
ing, blending with it a portion of wax. With this 
materiai they varnish the lids of the closed honey- 
cells, glue up all crevices in the hive, and cement it 
down to the floor. Among the trees which are the 
sources of propolis, the fir, willow, poplar, birch, and 
alder are noted; but almost any resinous substance 
can be utilised by the insects to its supply. It is 
kept, says Von Berlepsch, in five-sided outer cells. 
Honey.—We have seen that the first want of the 
swarm is honey. This the bees collect, by means of 
their probosces, from the nectaries of certain flowers, 
from whence it derives a greater or less variation in 
flavour, aroma, and actual composition ; while, as to 
colour, it ranges from nearly transparent to various 
shades of brown. The bees receive it into their 
first stomach or honey-bag, the greater portion 
being subsequently regurgitated into the cells, for 
which purpose those of both workers and drones are 
employed, in addition to the irregular cells which are 
incapable of serving any other purpose. The honey- 
cells, when closed, are distinguishable from those 
containing brood by being whiter in appearance, and 
often slightly concave. The brood-cells are more 
