THE HONEY-BEE. 
101 
sirous of avoiding some interposing substance Laving 
a smooth or glassy surface, — these are results which 
seem to manifest something more than simple in- 
stinct ; they afford a wonderful proof of the resources 
of this faculty, when compelled to deviate from the 
ordinary course ; they imply, in fact, the possession 
of a certain degree of intellect, or of reasoning power, 
by which their instinct is modified and counteracted. 
We cannot, indeed, but be filled with astonishment, 
when we see their ingenious expedients in getting 
the better of difficulties, which would not have occur- 
red in their natural state, — and with admiration of 
the wisdom and goodness of the Almighty Parent, 
so conspicuously visible, even in the unconscious in- 
stinctive operations of these tiny creatures of his 
hand. 
The material of which the bees construct those 
beautiful combs, which deserve so much admiration, 
is Wax — the nature and production of which will be 
considered in a subsequent chapter. No sooner has 
a swarm been safely lodged in a hive, than the in- 
dustrious labourers commence the operation of build- 
ing. One portion of the population employs itself in 
cleaning out their new abode, whilst a large number 
hastens to the fields, some of them to collect honey, 
the saccharine part of which is the source of the wax 
used in the construction of the combs, — and others 
to gather propolis, which is a tenacious substance 
employed in fixing the less adhesive wax to the roof 
of the hive, and in stopping up any crevices that 
might give entrance to vermin, or admit the cold. 
