COMB. 
71 
verted into wax, these proportions are remarkably changed, 
the wax containing only one pound of oxygen to more 
than sixteen of hydrogen and carbon. Now as oxygen 
is the grand supporter of animal heat, the large quantity 
consumed in secreting wax aids in generating that extra- 
ordinary heat which always accompanies comb-building, 
and which enables the bees to mould the softened wax 
into such exquisitely delicate and beautiful forms.* This 
interesting instance of adaptation, so clearly pointing to 
the Divine Wisdom, seems to have escaped the notice of 
previous writers. 
Careful experiments prove that from thirteen to twenty 
pounds of honey are required to make a single pound of 
wax. As wax is an animal oil, secreted chiefly from honey, 
this fact will not appear incredible to those who are aware 
how many pounds of corn or hay must be fed to cattle to 
have them gain a single pound of fat. 
Many bee-keepers are unaware of the value of empty 
comb. Suppose honey to be worth only fifteen cents per 
pound, and comb, when rendered into wax, to be wort h 
thirty cents, the Apiarian who melts a pound of comb 
loses largely by the operation, even without estimating 
the time his bees have consumed in building it. It should, 
therefore, be considered a first principle in bee-culture 
never to melt good combs. A strong stock of bees, in the 
height of the honey-harvest, will fill them Avith very 
great rapidity. 
Unfortunately, in the ordinary hives but little use can 
be made of empty comb, unless it is new, and can be put 
into the surplus honey-boxes ; but by the use of bars, or 
movable frames, every good piece of worker-comb may be 
given to the bees. 
• According to Dr. DonhofF, tho thickness of the sides of a cell In a now comb 
Is only the ono hundred and eightieth part of an inch 1 
