PROPOLIS, OR HIVE-CEMENT. loi 



the bees largely appropriate ; they collect it also from the 

 birch and alder bark, and in abundance from the bark of 

 various firs and pines. In spring the horse-chestnut buds 

 are large and conspicuous ; when unfolding the gummy 

 matter is softened, and this the industrious insects pick off. 

 This gum has been known to entrap small birds, notably 

 the golden-crested wren, in the same manner as birdlime, 

 yet it can be carried away by the small weak bee. Such 

 is the fact, for I never yet saw a bee fastened to it, 

 although I have searched on the buds expecting this result. 



It takes a much longer time for them to collect this 

 worthless product than either honey or pollen, therefore if 

 a substitute to save this waste of time can be placed within 

 easy access, or close to the apiary, by all means let it be 

 done. Langstroth says, " To men time is money, to bees 

 it is honey ;" not only is time lost in collecting it, but it 

 takes a much greater time to make use of it, from its 

 glutinous or tough character. A composition of one part 

 of bees-wax with three of resin has been recommended to 

 be placed in a dish beside the apiary. We have, however, 

 thought that if this composition was made and placed near 

 the hives, like everything else collected by bees, they would 

 not rest contented until it was all carried ofF, and inside 

 the hives would soon be one mass of propolis ; in the end 

 it would become a perfect nuisance, both to the bees and 

 all cleanly apiarians. For my part, speaking, too, from 

 experience, what they require let them gz.thjr, but do not 

 leave any newly-varnished work unwatcheJ or unguarded 

 until perfectly hard, when it will defy all attacKS. 



The most important use to which propolis is applied 

 by bees is to fasten securely the newly-made combs. 

 They use it also for other purposes. About August, 1869, 

 I witnessed in a neighbouring apiary a deadly struggle 

 going on betwixt a colony of bees in a common straw hive 

 and wasps. The entrance or mouth of the hive was, 



