452 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



The cells of honey-comb are used also for the storing of bee-bread and also 

 as cradles for the young bees. 



References — ^The Bee People, Morley; How to Keep Bees, Comstock. 



Starters of foundation comb in section boxes, partially built out by the bees. 



The section at the left has a "starter" of foundation comb. The other 



sections show the work of the bees in drawing out and 



biiilding on the "starters." 



LESSON CIV 

 The Honey-comb 



Leading thought — The cells of honey-comb are six-sided and in double 

 rows and are very perfectly arranged for the storing of honey, so as to save 

 room. 



Materials — A section filled with honey and also a bit of empty comb 

 and a bit of commercial foundation comb which may be obtairled in 

 any apiary. 



Observations — i . Look at a bit of empty honey-comb ; what is the 

 shape of the cell as you look down into it? 



2. What is the shape of the bottom of the cell? 



3. How does the bottom of the cell join the bottom of the cell oppo- 

 site ? E.xplain how honey-comb economizes space as storage for honey, 

 and why an economy of space is of use to bees in the wild state. 



4. In the hive is the honej^-comb placed so that the length of the cells 

 are horizontal or up and down? 



5. Observe honey-comb containing honey; how is the honey retained 

 in the cells? 



6. Carefully take off a cap from the honey cell and see if you can 

 find the six girders that extend inward from the angles of the cell to 

 support the circular portion in the center. 



7. By what means is the honey-comb made fast to the sides of the 

 section or the hive ? 



8. Study a bit of foundation comb and note where the bees will pull 

 out the wax to form the cell. 



9. Why and how is foundation comb used by the bee-keeper? 



10. For what purpose besides storing honey are the cells of honey- 

 comb used by the bees? 



