400 
Beekeeping 
the cell wall. The scales can best be observed when the 
comb is held with the top inclined toward the observer so 
that a bright light strikes the lower side wall (Fig. 165). A 
characteristic and usually penetrating odor is often notice¬ 
able in the decaying larvae. This can best be likened to the 
odor of heated glue. 
The larger part of the larvae which die of this disease are 
attacked after being scaled in the cells. The cappings are 
Fig. 166. — Apiary in southern California which was practically destroyed 
by disease. When this apiary was visited by the author in 1908, only 
15 colonies were seemingly free from American foul brood in the 
151 hives. After treatment only 14 colonies were saved. This devas¬ 
tation had occurred in two seasons. 
often entirely removed by the bees, but when they are left 
they usually become sunken (Fig. 163, g, c, j) and frequently 
perforated (Fig. 163, c, j). As the healthy brood emerges 
the comb shows the scattered sunken cappings covering dead 
larvae (Fig. 165), giving it a characteristic appearance. 
Pupae also may die of this disease, in which case they too dry 
down (Fig. 163, o, d), become ropy and have the character¬ 
istic odor and color. The tongue frequently adheres to the 
upper side wall and often remains there even after the pupa 
