INSECTS 123 
Storage of food. Unlike most insects, Bees live 
through the winter, and as at that time of the year but few 
plants are in blossom, it is necessary that they provide 
themselves with a supply of food beforehand. This they 
do, storing it up in the honey-comb, consisting of specially 
constructed air-tight cells, closed at the top by tightly 
fitting lids of wax. The comb is made of wax which is 
formed from honey, and which oozes out between the joints 
Fig. 82.—Cells of the Hive-bee, showing Queen Cell, Worker Cells, 
and Drone Cells. 
of the body segments. In order to obtain the wax a 
number of insects hang in a cluster for some time, when the 
warmth of the cluster causes the wax to ooze out as already 
stated. 
The cells of which the comb consists are six-sided, and 
arranged on either side of a central plate. They are used 
not only for storing food, but also as compartments in 
which the young are reared. ae 
