COMB. 
69 
CHAPTER IV. 
COStB. 
Wax ts a natural secretion of bees, and may be called 
theii oil or fat. Wlien gorged with honey, or any liquid 
6wee\, if they remain quietly clustered together, it is 
secreUid in the shape of delicate scales, in small pouches 
on their abdomen. (PI. XIII., Figs. 37, 38.) Soon after 
a swarm is hived, the bottom-board will usually be covered 
with tiicse scales. The bees seem to loosen them from 
their bodies by violently shaking themselves as they stand 
upon the combs. 
“ Thus, filtered through yon flutterer’s folded mail, 
Clings the cooled wax, and hardens to a scale. 
Swift, at the well-known call, the ready train 
(For not a buz boon Nature breathes in vain) 
Spring to each falling fiake, and bear along 
Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. 
These with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth, 
Pare each excrescence, and each angle sinoothe, 
Till now, in finishM pride, two radiant rows 
Of snow white cells one mutual base disclose. 
Six shining panels gird each polish’d round; 
The door’s fine rim, with waxen fillet bound ; 
While walls so thin, with sister walls combined, 
Weak in themselves, a sure dependence find.” 
Evans. 
Most Apiarians before Huber’s time supposed that wax 
was made from bee-bread, either in a crude or digested 
Slate. Confining a new swarm of bees to a hive in a dark 
and cool room, at the end of five days he found 
several beautiful white combs in their tenement; these 
