Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/106

102 On their return, those bees which have been occupied in collecting honey, cluster closely together at the top of the hive, and, suspended from each other by their hooked claws, form a variety of fantastical and often graceful figures, festoons, curtains, ladders, &c., crossing each other in all directions, (Pl. V.), and seem sunk in a profound inactivity, which continues about twenty-four hours. The inactivity, however, is only apparent. The time which they pass in this seeming repose is doubtless necessary for the elaboration of the honey, and the transfusion of the saccharine part in the form of wax. But in the centre of the mass, one worker has left its fellows, and laid the foundation of the future structure; it is succeeded by several others, each of whom, singly and separately, contributes its quantum of material and skill to the rising edifice, while succeeding bands of nurse-bees busy themselves in finishing and polishing the work, which the wax-workers have only rough hewn. For it is to be observed, that in the construction of the combs, the two classes of wax-workers and nurse-bees have their separate and distinct provinces. That of the former is to supply the rough materials, and attach them coarsely together; and that of the latter to finish and perfect the edifice. And while these last are occupied in this more refined operation of finishing and polishing, the former, like industrious labourers, are continually bringing forward additional loads of materials. One comb is scarcely begun, or contains not more than two or three rows of cells, when the busy architects proceed