246 



WAX. 



arisen from the fact, that cells only about two-thirds full 

 of fiollen, are often finished with honey. 



WHAT IS IT? 



Those who contend that combs are made of pollen, 

 would probably abandon the idea, after seeing the bees be- 

 longing to a hive filled to the last inch with comb, collect- 

 ing and bringing home just as much pollen as those belong- 

 ing to a hive half full. The question as to where the bee 

 gets wax to construct its combs, is very much like asking 

 where the cow gets her milk, or the ox his tallow. I be- 

 lieve all close observers agree that wax is a secretion nat- 

 ural only to the bee. Honey, and syrup made of sugar 

 are probably the only substances from which they secrete 

 it. From experiments with them, Huber has decided that 

 either of these substances, mixed with a little water, is all 

 sufiicient for its production. From experiments of my 

 own, I am satisfied that he is correct, and that pollen is 

 unnecessary. The experiment may be tried by shutting 

 up a swarm when first hived, and feeding them with honey 

 only. A few of the bees will probably have some pollen, 

 though not enough to make a comb three inches square, 

 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 ; enclose them again, and feed as before. 



Repeat 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. 



HOW IT IS OBTAINED. 



We will now describe the first appearance of wax and 

 how it is produced. When a swann of bees is about 

 lea^dng the parent-stock, three-fourths or more of them will 



