482 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



of modern times. Still the construction of the combs of 

 a bee-hive is a miracle which overwhelms our faculties. 



You are pi-obably aware that the hives with which we 

 provide bees are not essential to their labours, and 

 that they can equally form their city in the hollow of a 

 tree or any other cavity. In whatever situation it is 

 placed, the general plan which they follow is the same. 

 You have seen a honey-comb, and must have observed 

 that it is a flattish cake, composed of a vast number of 

 cells, for the most part hexagonal, regularly applied to 

 each other's sides, and arranged in two strata or layers 

 placed end to end. The interior of a bee-hive, consists of 

 several of these combs fixed to its upper part and sides, 

 arranged vertically at a small distance from each other, 

 so that the cells composing them are placed in a hori- 

 zontal position, and have their openings in opposite di- 

 rections — not the best position one would have thought 

 for retaining a fluid like honey, yet the bees find no in- 

 convenience on this score. The distance of the combs 

 from each other is about half an inch, that is, sufficient 

 to allow two bees busied upon the opposite cells to pass 

 each other with facility. Besides these vacancies, which 

 form the high roads of their community, the combs are 

 here and there pierced with holes which serve as posterns 

 for easy communication from one to the other without 

 losing time by going round. 



The arrangement of the combs is well adapted for 

 its purpose, but it is the construction of the cells which 

 is most admirable and astonishing. As these are formed 

 of wax, a substance secreted by the bees in no great 

 abundance, it is important that as little as possible of 



