492 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



parallel surfaces : it has then received the shape which it 

 will always preserve. 



The bees appear to give the proper forms to the bot- 

 toms of the cells by means of their antennae, which ex- 

 traordinary organs they seem to employ as directors by 

 wliich their other instruments are instructed to execute 

 a very complex work. They do not remove a single 

 particle of wax until the antennae have explored the sur- 

 face that is to be sculptured. By the use of these organs, 

 which are so flexible and so readily applied to all parts, 

 however delicate, that they can perform the functions 

 of compasses in measuring very minute objects, they can 

 work in the dark, and raise those wonderful combs the 

 first production of insects. 



Every part of the work appears a natural consequence 

 of that which precedes it, so that chance has no share in 

 the admirable results witnessed. The bees cannot de- 

 part from their prescribed route, except in consequence 

 of particular circumstances which alter the basis of their 

 labour. The original mass of wax is never augmented 

 but by an uniform quantity ; and what is most astonish- 

 ing, this augmentation is made by the wax-makers, who 

 are the depositaries of the primary matter, and possess 

 not the art of sculpturing the cells. 



The bees never begin two masses for combs at th.e 

 same time ; but scarcely are some rows of cells con- 

 structed in the first, when two other masses, one on each 

 side of it, ai'e establislied at equal distances from it and 

 parallel to it, and then again two more exterior to these. 

 The combs are always enlarged and lengthened in a 

 progression proportioned to the priority of their origin ; 

 the middle comb being constantly advanced beyond the 



