roo THE HISTORY. OF BEES, 
foundation of their work. And I find fome of our mo- 
derns inclining to the fame opinion. Mr. Bradley fays, 
that they may fix their work at the top of the hive with 
more folidity; they ufe a tempered wax; almoft like 
glue.* Bees gather two forts of wax; one brown and 
gluey, which ferves to ftop the holes, and fix the ho- 
ney-combs to the hive; the other for building their 
cells. 3 | 
A later writer has told the world, that the materials 
are compofed of nothing but glue and wax, which they 
extract from various fowers.¢ Had he faid the materi- 
als had been wax, he had been nearer to the truth. 
* Whatever thefe, or any other gentleman may fancy 
or affirm, 1 do upon the fulleft evidence declare, that 
the combs, both in their foundation and fuperftructure, 
are framed of nothing. but pure wax. I dare appeal to 
any judicious and impartial perfon, who will but make 
trial for the truth of what I affert. Let it but be exa- 
mined “by fire, or in any other method, and it will be 
found to be wax, and nothing but wax. 
The manner in which the edifice is carried on and 
accomplifhed, together with it’s form, comes next to be 
confidered. ‘Their manner of building is greatly diffe- 
rent from that of the wafps, as well as the materials. 
~ The wafps build their combs horizontally, placing 
them one above another, in feveral ftories, fupported by 
numerous and ftrong pillars; in which, and all their o- 
ther works, they ufe the utmoft application and dif- 
patch. 
But 
* Bradley's. Hufbandry, p. 2254238. . , 
JT Nat, Delins p.-97, 104, 1045 
