WAX. 247 



fill their sacs ■with honey. When located in their new 

 home, of course, no cells exist to hold it, and it must re- 

 main in the sac or stomach for several hours. The con- 

 sequence is, that thin white scales of wax, one sixteenth 

 of an inch in diametei", somewhat circular, are formed be- 

 tween the rings of the abdomen, on the under side. 

 Pig. 30 shows the abdomen of the bee, enlarged, 

 with the scales of wax between the rings. With 

 the claws of one of their hind-legs, one of these 

 is detached and conveyed to the mouth, and then 

 Fjg. 30. pinched with their forceps or teeth until one edge 

 becomes somewhat rough ; it is then applied to the comb 

 being constructed, or to the roof of the hive. The first 

 rudiments of comb, are often to be seen within the first 

 half hour after the swarm is hived. Transferring the 

 swarms to other hives from one to forty-eight hours after 

 being hived, will show their progress. 



COMMENCEMENT OP A COMB. 



I have found that waxns attached to the top of the hive, 

 at first, without the least order, until some of the blocks 

 or lumps are sufficiently advanced for them to begin cells. 

 The scales of wax are welded together, without regard to 

 the shape of the cell, then an excavation is made on one 

 side for the bottom of a cell, and two others on the oppo- 

 site side, the division between them being opposite the 

 centre of the first. When this piece of comb is an inch 

 or two in length, two other pieces, at nearly equal distan- 

 ces on each side, are commenced. If the swarm is large 

 and honey abundant, it is common for two pieces of comb 

 to be started at one time, on difierent parts of the top ; 

 the sheets in the two places are as often at right angles, 

 as parallel, or any other way just as chance directs them. 

 The little lumps that are deposited at random, at first, are 

 removed as they proceed. 



