128 PEOPOLIS. 



CHAPTEE VI. 



PROPOLIS. 

 WHAT USED FOR. 



This substance is first used to solder up all the 

 cracks, flaws, and irregularities about the hive. A 

 coat is then spread over the inside throughout ; when 

 the hive is full, and mauy bees cluster outside, the 

 latter part of summer, a coat of it is also spread there. 

 An additional coat it seems is annually applied, as old 

 hives will be coated with a thickness proportionate to 

 its age, providing it has been occupied with a strong 

 family. Huber has said it was also used to strengthen 

 the cells when first made, by mixing it with the wax. 

 If it was their practice at that time, the practice has 

 been abandoned by our bees to a great extent. I 

 have made examinations when comb was first made, 

 when it contained eggs, and when it contained larvse, 

 and have never been able to find anything other than 

 pure wax composing it. After a young bee has 

 matured in a cell, the coating or cocoon that it leaves 

 is of a dark color, somewhat resembling it, and may 

 have given rise to the supposition. How the article 

 is obtained, appears to be the mystery. This is a sub- 

 ject about which apiarians have failed to agree. A 

 few contend that it is an elaborated substance ; while 

 others assert it to be a resinous gum, exuding from 

 certain trees, and collected by the bees like pollen. 

 It differs materially from wax, being more tenacious, 

 and when it gets a little age, much harder. 



