Ron,
        I saw this for the first time this year. Here, my standard practice is
to prop the outer cover up with a stick to afford 1/2" space above the
inner cover for improved vent. and an upper entrance. The bees don't
seem to see this as a violation of bees space as it is outside the hive,
above the inner cover. A colony propolized the gap in the covers nearly
closed (unusual here) and was the only hive of the 6 I had there to do
so. It ran, down the outside of the box.
Thought I'd pass on I saw the same thing.

Thom Bradley
Chesapeake, VA

"BOGANSKY,RONALD J." wrote:
>   They collect a lot of it and it appears to "run" like melted wax down the comb
> during warm weather.  When I first saw it I thought someone had dumped
> something down the hole in the inner cover. It literally dripped down across
> capped comb. When the substance is cooler it is hard and brittle almost like
> dried varnish.  It does not smell funny or different and it even tastes like
> propolis although I have never seen propolis run.
> Kutztown, (eastern) PA, USA