PROPOLIS.
Derivation of Word--Sources--Nature--Purposes--Quantity
Collected--Adaptation of Materials to Wants of Bees.
Another substance carried in, and largely used by the bees, is an
exceedingly sticky material called propolis, from two Greek words
signifying "before the city," as it was observed, in early times, that
it was employed in strengthening the outworks of their fortress-home,
or, at least, in firmly securing the rim of their hives to their
floor-boards.
It was formerly a matter of considerable discussion whether this
substance was a natural vegetable product, or whether it was
elaborated, as wax is. There is now little doubt that it is chiefly a
sort of resin derived from plants, and especially from the leaf-buds of
certain kinds, like the horse-chestnut, the alder, birch, willow, and
hollyhock. Huber, to whom we are indebted for so many interesting and
careful observations on apiculture, tried the experiment of placing in
pots branches of the poplar, before the buds had opened, and these he
put near his apiary. The bees, settling on them, separated the folds
of the largest buds, extracted the resinous matter in threads, loaded
it on their thighs, as they do pollen, and carried it to their hives.
In the spring one may often notice a loud humming round the foliage
of deodars, firs, and other coniferæ; and some wonder may, at first,
be felt as to what the busy insects can want from such absolutely
honeyless trees. When we remember the turpentinous exudations which are
so abundant in these cone-bearers, all difficulty disappears. It is
for supplies of propolis the workers are searching. Evans says on this
subject:--
"With merry hum the willow's copse they scale,
The fir's dark pyramid, or poplar pale;
Scoop from the alder's leaf its oozy flood,
Or strip the chestnut's resin-coated bud,
Skim the light tear that tips Narcissus' ray,
Or round the hollyhock's hoar fragrance play."
It is most probable that, with the resinous substances collected from
trees, they knead up a certain proportion of wax, to increase the
tenacity. The resulting product is one of extraordinarily glutinous
quality. With it the bees stop every chink and crack and cranny in
their abodes. With it they stick down skeps to floor-boards, fasten,
if they can, frames to the top of bar-hives, firmly fix the combs to
their points of attachment, strengthen weak places in their dwellings,
and, in some cases, where glass has been inserted in the walls of hives
for observation purposes, the panes are found completely coated with
propolis, so as to exclude the light.
In colour, this cement is greenish yellow, darkening with age to brown.
Its odour is balsamic and somewhat powerful, resembling that of storax.
It was formerly supposed to possess medicinal properties, and was kept
in the shop of the apothecary. When smeared on the fingers, it is very
difficult of removal. Soap has no effect upon it; water fails to wash
it off; but spirits of wine readily dissolve it, and are the most easy
and effectual means of getting it off the skin.
Bees usually choose the middle of the day for gathering this substance,
as the warmth of the air, by softening the resinous material,
facilitates the obtaining of it from the trees, and prevents its too
speedy hardening before it reaches the hives. Sometimes, indeed, the
resin becomes so firm in consistency by the time the collectors of it
get home, that they require the assistance of their fellow-workers to
detach it from their thighs.
One very remarkable use to which propolis is occasionally put by
the bees, is for the covering up of mice, snails, frogs, or other
intruders, whose expulsion is impossible, or who have died after
entering the hives. Réaumur relates that, on one occasion, he observed
a snail thus glued down to a piece of glass in one of his hives; and,
in another instance, where a slug had been stung to death, and was
far too large for removal by the insects, these clever sanitarians
completely enveloped the mollusc with a coating of propolis-varnish, to
prevent the emanation of any noxious vapours when decomposition set in.
It was, in fact, a distinct instance of embalming. Huish mentions that
a mouse was similarly treated by one of his stocks of bees.
The quantity of propolis collected is sometimes very large,
particularly where spaces are left at the top, sides, or bottoms of
bee-dwellings. At present, this substance has not been turned to any
serviceable human use.
In reviewing these various products gathered or elaborated by bees, we
cannot fail to be struck with the marvellous adaptation of different
materials to the wants of the community, the skill displayed in the
application of them to the general purposes of the commonwealth; and,
above all, the wondrous suitability of means to ends, shown by the
workers of the hive. If we refuse to allow the possession of reason
to these extraordinary insects, we must admit the existence in them
of some faculty almost more to be admired; and, in any case, we can
but bow in reverence before the all-comprehensive Divine wisdom
and goodness, which have endowed creatures so small with powers so
surprising which have made them subservient to human needs or comfort,
and which have enabled the bees to work even to better advantage
under the tutelage of man, than when left to their natural habits and
surroundings.