304 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. [Ch. vi. 



lower bees pass their secretions up the living ladder to 

 the uppermost ones to undergo this double process. The 

 rapidity with which comb-building progresses at such 

 times would lead to the supposition that there is a 

 division of labour of this kind among them, just as our 

 labourers convey building material to the artisans on the 

 scaffold above. This work of comb-building is carried 

 forward in warm weather, for a cold temperature inter- 

 feres with the secretion of wax. Von Berlepsch declares 

 that he has known cases in which a hive has built three 

 hundred square inches of comb in a single night ! 



The secretion of wax, and the method of its adaptation 

 by the bees, are thus admirably described by Evans : — 



" So, filtered through yon flutterer's folded mail. 

 Clings the cooled wax, and hardens to a scale. 

 Swift, at her well-known call, the ready train 

 (For not a buzz boon Nature breathes in vain) 

 Spring to each falling flake, and bear along 

 Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. 



* * * iic * 



These in firm phalanx ply their twinkling feet, 

 Stretch out the ductile mass, and form the street. 

 With many a cross-way path and postern gate. 

 That shorten to their range the spreading state. 

 Those with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth, 

 Pare each excrescence, and each angle smooth. 

 Till now, in finished pride, two radiant rows 

 Of snow-white cells one mutual base disclose. 

 Six shining panels gird each polished round. 

 The door's fine rim with waxen fillet bound. 

 While walls so thin, with SiSter walls combined, 

 Weak in themselves, a sure dependence find." 



