44 
THE HONEY-MAKERS. 
When hives are full of combs, the wax-work- 
ers empty their honey into the ordinary store- 
houses, and make no wax, for the simple reason 
that no wax is then wanted. But if a reservoir 
is needed for its safe keeping, or if there are no 
cells in which the queen can lay her eggs, the 
wax-workers retain the honey in their stomachs, 
and in twenty-four hours they produce wax, and 
then they commence the work of building combs. 
It might perhaps be supposed that, when the 
country did not afford honey, or when fields 
were destitute of flowers, the wax-workers con- 
sume the provision stored up in the hive. But 
this is not allowed. A portion of honey is care- 
fully preserved, and the cells containing it are 
covered with a tightly-fitting waxen lid. This 
is removed only in cases of extreme necessity, or 
when it is not possible to procure honey from 
other sources. Never during the summer are 
these jars of honey opened ; they are saved for 
times of greater need. But there are other ves- 
sels always open which furnish daily food for the 
household. These open jars are common to all, 
but the bees take only what is necessary for their 
present wants. 
