ENEMIES OF BEES. 
295 
ment to prove that when all our stocks are well pro- 
tected, that it must be a poor chance to deposit eggs, 
on the combs of such hives, where their instinct has 
taught them is the proper place. But they must leave 
them somewhere. When driven from all the combs 
within, the next best place is the cracks and flaws 
about the hive, that are lined with propolis ; and the 
dust and chips that fall on the floor-board of a young 
swarm not full will be used. This last material is 
mostly wax, and answers very well instead of comb. 
The eggs will here hatch and the worms sometimes 
ascend to the combs ; hence the necessity of keeping 
the bottom brushed off clean. It will prevent those 
that are on the bottom from going up : also the bees 
from taking up any eggs, if this should happen to be 
the method. I can conceive of no other way by which 
they get among the combs of a populous stock ; where 
they are often detected, having been deposited by 
some means. A worm lodged in the comb, makes his 
way to the centre, and then eats a passage as he pro- 
ceeds, lining it with a shroud of silk, gradually enlarg- 
ing it, as he increases in size. (When combs are filled 
with honey, they work on the surface, eating only the 
sealing.) In very weak families this silken passage- 
way is left untouched, — but removed by all the 
stronger ones. I have found it asserted that “ the 
worms would be all immediately destroyed by the 
bees, were it not for a kind of dread in touching them 
until compelled to by necessity.” As the facts which 
led to this conclusion are not given, and I can find 
none confirming it, perhaps I shall be excused if I 
