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idea. Tie supposes that it is a substance formed within themselves, exuding from the scales of their abdomen, and probably sometimes mixed with farina, as the case requires. The wax in its native state is white, but, when melted from the comb at large, it becomes yellow; arising, as is likely, from being stained with honey, bee-bread, &c. The rows of cells that compose the comb, form perpendicular plates, or partitions, which extend from top to bottom, tnd from side to side, of the hive. They always begin at the top, arid work downwards. The cells are olan hexagonal form and those designed for holding the young are all of a given depth; whilst the others, rescrv& for their store, arc frequently shallower1 One ecU is distinguished from the rest, which is called the royal cell. rfI,cre arc sometimes several of these: it is much wider than the others, but seldom so deep-. Some suppose that this is designed for the reception of the queen.

As soon as a few combs are formed, the queen bee begins laying her eggs. 11cr first eggs produce labourers, the next the males, and the last die queen. The eggs are laid at the bottom of the cell even beh)rc it is hail completed. Each egg is fastened to the bot torn by a gluey matter. in newly-formed cowb

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