THE HONEYFLOW 45 



and pollen. These contain grubs which have 

 finished feeding and are now enjoying a period 

 of quiescence in their tomb before coming out 

 to join in the never-ending round of toil. Near 

 them are other cells, in which crescent-shaped 

 cracks are appearing and enlarging, until young 

 bees come forth, fluffy, downy creatures, as yet 

 all unfitted to do any hard work. No sooner do 

 they emerge than another bee enters the cell and 

 carefully cleans it out ready for the next visit of 

 the queen. Here are cells being filled with 

 pollen of all shades, green, yellow, grey, or brown, 

 while here and there we see an open pool of 

 glistening honey, all ready to hand for the feeding 

 of the babes. Higher up, in the surplus chambers, 

 there is nothing but honey. Bees returning laden 

 with it, climb to this upper storey and there 

 discharge their loads of concentrated sweetness. 

 All these combs are new and of a glistening 

 whiteness. For the most part, the contents are 

 a rich golden colour, though here and there a 

 special portion is set aside for the darker honey 

 from the limes or blackberries. 



Lines of bees are hard at work, lengthening the 

 cells to their utmost capacity, or making the waxen 

 coverings to seal it safely up against the approach 

 of winter. Others are busy filling up cracks and 

 crevices in the walls, or removing the bodies of 

 deceased comrades, for in such a vast popula- 

 tion engaged in such ceaseless toil, the mor- 



