WINTERING BEES. 289 



old hi\ne, more than this one ;" pointing to another that 

 also contained a new swarm. " You will greatly oblige 

 me if you will point out the signs particularly." 



I then directed his attention to the entrance in the side 

 of the hive ; here the bees had discharged their excre- 

 ment on the moment of issuing, until it was near an 

 eighth of an inch thick, and two or three inches broad. 

 It yet remained, and had just begun to cleave off. " You 

 see this brown substance around the hole in the Live ? " 



"Yes, it is bee-glue, {propolis,) it is very common on 

 old hives." 



" I think not ; if you will examine it closely, you will 

 perceive that it is not so hard and bright ; it already be- 

 gins to crumble, and bee-glue is not affected by the 

 weather for years." 



" Just so, but what is it, and what has that to do with 

 your guess-work ? " 



" It is the excrement of the bees. In consequence of 

 many cells containing dead brood, the bees could not 

 enter them, and they were unable to pack themselves 

 closely enough to secure the animal heat requisite to drive 

 off the water in their food, and it was therefore retained 

 in their bodies, till they were distended beyond endu- 

 rance. They were unable to wait for a warm day, and 

 necessity compelled them to issue daily during the cold- 

 est weather, discharging their foeces the moment of pass- 

 ing the entrance, and sometimes, before, upon the combs. 

 They were immediately chilled and could not return ; the 

 quantity left about the entrance shows that a great many 

 must have come out. That they came out in cold weather 

 is proved by its being left on the hive, because in warm 

 weather they leave the hive for this purpose. The cluster 

 inside was in this way so reduced that they were un- 

 able to keep from freezing." 



" This is a new idea ; at present it seems very probable ; 

 13 



