COMB. 77 



Moses, Paul," &c. ; for, " their own experience in the natu- 

 ral economy of the insect," let him substitute, " their own 

 experience in the nature of man ;" and for, " circumstances 

 as related by Huber," let him insert, " as related by Luke 

 or John," and it will sound almost precisely like a passage 

 from some infidel author. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Comb. 



Wax is a natural secretion of the bees ; it may be called 



their oil or fat. If they are gorged with honey or any 



liquid sweet, and remain quietly clustered together, it is 



formed in small wax pouches on their abdomen, and comes 



out in the shape of very delicate scales. Soon after ft swarm 



is hived, the bottom board will often be covered with these 



scales. The bees seem to aid its liberation from their bodies, 



by violently shaking themselves, as they stand upon the 



combs. 



" Thus, filtered through yon fiutterer's folded mail, 

 Clings the cooled wax, and hardens to a scale. 

 Swift, at the well known call, the ready train, 

 (For not a buz boon Nature breathes in vain,) 

 Spring to each falling flake, and bear along 

 Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. 

 These with sharp sickle or with sharper tooth, 

 Pare each excrescence, and each angle smooth, 

 Till now, in flnish'd pride, two radiant rows 

 Of snow white cells one mutual base disclose. 

 Six shining panels gird each polish'd round, 

 The door's fine rim, with waxen fillet bound. 

 While walls so thin, with sister walls combined, 

 Weak in themselves, a sure dependence find." 



£VAN8. 



