56 
THE HONEY-MAKERS. 
her fore feet to render it less adhesive. The 
sticky quality of the gum gives to the wax that 
tenacity which is necessary in the many ways 
and positions in which it is used, — such as at- 
taching the comb firmly to the top and sides of 
the hive. With this gum also the white honey- 
combs are varnished, and the edges strength- 
ened ; with this all accidental holes are stopped, 
and it is made to contribute to the scrupulous 
neatness for which bees are so remarkable. The 
sanitary economy of a hive is worthy of imita- 
tion. Every noxious substance not too large for 
the bees to manage is instantly carried from the 
hive ; and whatever is too bulky or too heavy 
for them to remove is completely embalmed with 
propolis and thus all unwholesome odors pre- 
vented. 
A writer on the subject says, that “ it some- 
times happens that an ill-fated snail creeps into 
the hive. This is no sooner perceived, than it 
is attacked and stung to death. But how are 
the bees to carry out so heavy a burden ? Such 
a labor would be in vain. To prevent the nox- 
ious smell that would arise from its putrefaction, 
