Yellow beeswax is a secretion formed by the hive-bee, Apis mellifica, Linn. Used by the insect to form the walls of the cells of the honeycomb. After the extraction of the honey, the wax is melted with water, separated, and strained. When obtained as described, beeswax is a yellowish or brownish-yellow solid, firm, and not unctuous to the touch, breaking with a dull, granular fracture, and having an agreeable honey-like odor. Yellow beeswax is used in pharmacy in the preparation of plasters, and of ointments in which its yellow color is unobjectionable. Such ointments become rancid much less rapidly than when prepared with white beeswax.