WAX. 
119 
MANNER OF WORKING WAX. 
Transferring the swarms to different hives from one 
to forty-eight hours after being hived, will show their 
progress. I have found that wax is attached to the 
top of the hive at first promiscuously, that is, without 
the least order, until some of the blocks or lumps 
are sufficiently advanced for them to begin cells. The 
scales of wax are welded on the edge quite thick, 
without regard to the shape of the cell, then an ex- 
cavation is made on one side for the bottom of a cell, 
and two others on the opposite side; the division 
between them exactly opposite the centre of the first. 
When this piece is an inch or two in length, two other 
pieces at equal distances on each side are commenced. 
If the swarm is large, and honey abundant, it is 
common for two pieces of comb to be started at one 
time on different parts of the top ; the sheets in the 
two places are often at right angles, or any other way, 
just as chance happens to give direction. The little 
lumpsf that are placed at random at first are all re- 
moved as they advance. 
While the combs arc in progress, the edges are 
always kept much the thickest, and the base of the 
cell is worked down to the proper thickness with 
their teeth, and polished smooth as glass. The ends 
of the cell also, as they lengthen them, will always be 
found much thicker than any other part of it when 
finished. 
When two combs approach each other in the mid- 
dle of the hive at nearly right angles, an edge of 
comb is left there ; but when an obtuse angle, the 
