116 WAX. 



duction. From experiments of my own, I am satisfied 

 that he is correct. The experiment is tried by shut- 

 ting up a swarm when first hived ; feeding them with 

 honey — a few of the bees will probably have some 

 pollen, though not enough to make a comb three 

 inches square, yet it is something — and to be certain, 

 time must be given them to exhaust it. In three or 

 four days take out the bees and remove the combs ; 

 inclose them again, and feed with honey as before. 

 Eepeat the process, until satisfied that*"no pollen is 

 needed in the composition of wax. Huber removed 

 the combs "five times," with the same result at every 

 trial. Whenever bees are confined in hot weather, air 

 and water are absolutely necessary. 



We will now describe the first appearance of wax, 

 and how it is produced. When a swarm of bees is 

 about leaving the parent stock, three-fourths or more 

 of them will fill their sacks with honey. When located 

 in their new home, of course no cells exist to hold it ; 

 it must remain in the stomach or sack for several 

 hours. The consequence is, that thin white scales of 

 wax the sixteenth of an inch in diameter, somewhat 

 circular, are formed between the rings of the abdomen, 

 under side. With the claws of one of their hind legs 

 one of these is detached and conveyed to the mouth, 

 and there pinched with their forceps or teeth, until 

 one edge is worked somewhat rough ; it is then ap- 

 plied to the comb being constructed, or to the roof of 

 the hive. The first rudiments of comb are often applied 

 within the first half hour after the swarm is hived. 

 In the history of insects before noticed, is a minute 



