Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/134

130 closest cohesion; and is further prevented from contributing to the multiplication of hybrid plants. The collection of pollen by the bees is made in greatest quantity in the earlier part of the day, before the heat of the sun has dried up the moisture which renders it more easily packed into the little masses which adhere to their legs. After they are fully loaded, they return to their hive, and deposit their burden in cells in which there is neither honey nor brood. The mode in which the Bee unloads itself, has been already noticed. Planting her middle and hind legs firmly on the edges of the cell, she sweeps with her fore-legs the pellets from their baskets, and thus drops them into the cell. Another worker instantly inserts her head into this cell, and keeps it there for a minute or two, evidently kneading the farina, and probably mixing with it a portion of honey disgorged from the honey-bag, as it presents a moist appearance on her leaving it. Farina is probably mixed with wax in constructing the combs when the latter substance is scarce, especially in building the royal cells, the outer surface of which appears to be nearly altogether farina, and only the inner surface of wax highly polished. But the principal use of this substance, after undergoing, perhaps, a peculiar elaboration, is to nourish the brood. This fact was proved by an interesting experiment of Huber. He furnished a hive, with combs containing brood, with honey and water, but no farina, and confined the bees so as to prevent them from seeking this last