WAX MADE FROM HONEY. 71 
different gradations, induce us to believe them appropriated for the 
secretion of wax. But in common with other animal or vegetable se- 
cretions, the means by which this is accomplished appears to be care- 
fully veiled in nature. 
Our researches by simple observation thus being obstructed, we felt 
it essential to adopt other methods for ascertaining whether wax is 
actually a secretion or collection of a particular substance. 
Providing it were the former, we had first to verify the opinion of 
Reaumer, who conjectured that it came from an elaboration of pollen 
in the stomach, though we did not coincide with him in the opinion 
that bees then disgorged it by the mouth. Neither were we disposed 
to adopt his sentiments regarding its origin; for like Hunter, it had 
struck us that swarms newly settled in empty hives, do not bring 
home pollen, notwithstanding they construct combs, while the bees 
of old hives, having no combs to build, gather it abundantly. 
We had therefore to learn whether bees, deprived of pollen for a 
series of time, would make wax, and all that is required is confine- 
ment. 
On the 24th of_May, we lodged a swarm which had just left the 
parent stock in astraw hive, with as much honey and water as neces- 
sary for the consumption of the bees, and closed the entrance so as to 
prevent all possibility of escape, leaving access for renewal of air. 
At first the bees were greatly agitated, but we succeeded in calm- 
ing them by carrying the hive to a cold dark place where their capti- 
.vity lasted five days. They were then allowed to take flight in an 
apartment, the windows of which were carefully shut, and where the 
hive could be examined conveniently. The bees had consumed their 
whole provision of honey ; but their dwelling, which did not contain 
an atom of wax when we established them in it, had now acquired 
five combs of-the most beautiful wax, suspended from its arch, of a 
pure white, and very brittle. 
We do not expect so speedy a solution of the problem, but before 
concluding that the bees had derived the faculty of producing wax from 
honey, on which they fed, a second experiment, susceptible of no other 
explanation, was necessary. 
The workers, though in captivity, had been able to collect farina; 
