MEXICAN BEES. 



229 



marking the sentinel ; when it was observed that 

 the same bee continued at his post a whole day. 



When it is ascertained by the weight that the 

 hive is full, the end pieces are removed, and the 

 honey withdrawn. The hive we saw opened was 

 only partly filled ; which enabled us to see the » 

 economy of the interior to more advantage. The 

 honey is not contained in the elegant hexagonal 

 cells of our hives, but in wax bags, not quite so 

 large as an egg. These bags, or bladders, are 

 hung round the sides of the hive, and appear 

 about half full, the quantity being probably just 

 as great as the strength of the wax will bear with- 

 out tearing. Those near the bottom, being bet- 

 ter supported, are more filled than the upper 

 ones. In the centre of the lower part of the hive, 

 we observed an irregular shaped mass of comb 

 furnished with cells, like those of our bees, all 

 containing young ones, in such an advanced state, 

 that when we broke the comb and let them out, 

 they flew merrily away. During this examina- 

 tion of the hive, the comb and the honey were 

 taken out, and the bees disturbed in every way ; 

 but they never stung us, though our feces and 



