COMB. 
69 
CHAPTER IV. 
COMB. 
W ax is a natural secretion of bees, and may be called 
theb oil or fat. When gorged with honey, or any liquid 
sweex, if they remain quietly clustered together, it is 
secreted in the shape of delicate scales, in small pouches 
on their abdomen. (PI. XIII., Pigs. 37, 38.) Soon after 
a swarm is hived, the bottom-hoard will usually he covered 
with tnese scales. The bees seem to loosen them from 
their bodies by violently shaking themselves as they stand 
upon the combs. 
M 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 flake, and bear along 
Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. 
These with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth, 
Pare each excrescence, and each angle smoothe, 
Till now, in finish’d pride, t« o 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 waHs 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 
state. 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 
