Curiosities & wonders > New observations on the natural history of bees

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ORIGIN OF WAX. S37
if their queen does not find cells ready made,
wherein to lay her eggs, they retain the
honey in the stomach; and in twenty-four
hours wax exudes through the rings. Then
the labour of constructing combs begins.
Perhaps it will be supposed that, when
| the country does not afford honey, the wax
! workers may consume the provision stored
: up in the hive. But they are not permitted
i to touch it. A portion of honey is care-
'; fully preserved; and the cells containing it
are protected by a waxen covering, which
never is removed except in case of extreme
necessity, and when honey is not to be
otherwise procured. The cells are at no
time opened during summer; other reser¬
voirs always exposed contribute to the daily
use of the community; each bee, however,
supplying itself from them with nothing but
what is required by present exigence.
Wax workers appear with large bellies at
the entrance of their hive only when the
country affords a copious collection of honey.
Prom what wre have said, it may be con¬
cluded that production of the waxy matter
depends on a concurrence of circumstances
not invariably subsisting.
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