354 
SAGACITY OF BEES. 
it with their stings, the cunning economists fixed it 
immovably, by cementing merely the edge of the ori- 
fice of the shell to the glass with resin, (propolis), and 
thus it became a prisoner for life.” Now the instinct 
that prompts the gathering of propolis in August, and 
filling every crack, flaw, or inequality about the 
hive, would cement the edges of the snail-shell to the 
glass, and a small stone, block of wood, chip, or any 
substance that they are unable to remove, would be 
fastened with it in the same manner. The edges or 
bottom of the hive, when in close proximity to the 
bottom, is joined to it with this substance. Whatever 
the obstacle may be, it is pretty sure to receive a 
coating of this. The stoppers for the holes at the top 
are held in their places on the same principle; and 
the unaccountable sagacity that once fastened a little 
door, might possibly be nothing more than the same 
instinct. 
Another principle, I think, will be found to be uni- 
versal with them, instead of sagacious reasoning. 
Whenever the combs in a hive have been broken, 
or when combs have been added, as was mentioned in 
the chapter on fall management, the first duty of the 
bees appears to be to fasten them as they are; when 
the edges are near the side of the hive, or two combs 
in contact, a portion of wax is detached and used for 
joining them together, or to the side. 
MENDING BROKEN COMBS. 
Where two combs do not touch, and yet are close 
together, a small bar is constructed from one to the 
