126 
Beekeeping 
masses. It is thus clear that the so-called wax-shears, 
formed by the pecten and auricle, are part of the apparatus 
for pollen packing and, as shown earlier (p. 110), they have 
nothing to do with wax manipulation. Casteel shows also 
that in packing pollen in the cells of the combs additional 
moisture is probably used, for analyses show a higher per¬ 
centage of sugar than in pollen from the legs. 
Propolis collection. 
The collection of propolis has not been so adequately 
described. This substance consists of gums collected from 
various trees and other materials of a similar consistency. 
The bees carry it to the hive on the pollen baskets, the load 
sometimes appearing smooth and shiny, at other times 
rough, depending upon the material collected. It is usually 
gathered most abundantly in late summer and autumn, 
and races of bees differ in the amount of propolis which they 
collect. Caucasian bees are troublesome because of the 
great quantities which they deposit in the hive (p. 197). 
Inside the hive, propolis is deposited on rough surfaces, in 
cracks and openings that are smaller than a bee-space 
(p. 26) and sometimes on the upper portions of the combs. 
The “travel-stain” frequently seen on comb-honey is 
propolis. Hcddon showed some years ago that bees do not 
deposit it on smooth surfaces. 
The collection of water is most commonly observed in 
early spring and during the hottest part of the summer, 
there probably being less need for water when the humidity 
within the hive is high. It is carried to the hive in the honey- 
stomach (Fig. 60), as is nectar. 
DURATION OF LIFE 
The length of life of the various members of the colony 
under different conditions presents a problem of great in¬ 
terest. The queen bee normally lives several years, while 
