528 PSYCHOLOGICAL PHYSIOLOGY. 



site ones, and their centre meets exactly where the edges of the three 



o 



cells join. This phenomenon, however skilful it appears to be, has but the 

 object of saving all space, which could be attained by this and no other 

 means, and which admits of being mathematically demonstrated. We 

 here find another proof of the wisest adaptation to the purpose so con- 

 stantly observed in nature ; but the choice of means for attaining it must 

 not be ascribed to the free intellectual power of the creature that employs 

 it; it is but the expression of the eternal necessity and uniformity to 

 which the instinct of the creature is subjected. The number of combs 

 in a hive depends upon the space ; the central one is first constructed, 

 and brought down to the ground, on each of which others then follow at 

 the distance of about half an inch from the first ; thus by degrees the 

 whole hive is filled with combs. The size of the cells also varies, the 

 smaller ones serve for the reception of the neuters and the provisions, 

 the larger ones contain the male maggots ; for the royal maggots, of 

 which there are from three to four in each hive, distinct cells are 

 formed upon the margin of the comb, but which, however, never touch 

 the walls of the nest. They are in the form of a very large, spacious, ovate 

 cell, which is not horizontal, like the others, but perpendicular, opening 

 beneath. The aperture is smaller than the body of the cell, and in- 

 creases with the larva, for the neuters increase both the cell and the 

 aperture upon the growth of the larva. 



Being thus acquainted with the structure of a young bee-hive, we 

 shall now pass to the examination of its inhabitants and their several 

 occupations. After the workers of a young colony have built a 

 requisite number of cells, others then busy themselves with filling them 

 with honey ; thus a portion of them are constantly occupied with enlarg- 

 ing the dwelling the while another portion are busied in collecting 

 provisions. This gathering continues the whole remainder of the 

 spring and summer, and is carried on even late in the autumn, and 

 they do not cease until the Howers cease blossoming. The substance 

 they collect is honey, a thick yellowish fluid, consisting of crystal- 

 lising sugar, liquid sugar, and a peculiar viscid substance insoluble in 

 alcohol, which the neuters imbibe by means of their long tubular 

 tongue from the nectaries of plants, and conserve in their sucking 

 stomach, which thus supplies the place of a crop ; hence it is thrown 

 up when the bees wish to get rid of it, when probably it does not 

 repass through the tube of the proboscis, but through the aperture of 

 the mouth, beneath the valve of the oesophagus, or second tongue. 



