HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 279 



cells of the common shape upon the wood to which the combs are fixed, 

 without p^ramiJal bottoms, and from them continue their work as usual. 

 These cells with a flat bottom, or rather with the wood for their bottom, 

 are more irregular than the common ones ; some of their orifices are not 

 angular, and their dimensions are not exact, but all are more or less hexa- 

 gonal. Once when disturbed, Huber observed them to begin their combs 

 on one of the vertical sides of the hive instead of on the roof. When par- 

 ticular circumstances caused it, as, for instance, when glass was introduced, 

 to which they do not like to fix their combs, he remarked that they con- 

 stantly varied their direction ; and by repeating the attempt he forced them 

 to form their combs in the most fantastic manner. Yet glass is an artificial 

 subs^tance, against which instinct merely cannot have provided them : there 

 is nothing in hollow trees, their natural habitation, resembling it. When 

 they change the direction of their combs, they enlarge the cells of one side 

 to two or three times the diameter of those of the other, which gives the 

 requisite curve. 



To complete the detail of these interesting discoveries of the elder 

 Huber, I must lay before you the following additional observations of his 

 son. 



The first base of the combs upon which the bees work holds three or 

 four cells, sometimes more. The comb continues of the same width for 

 three or four inches, and then begins to widen for three quarters of its 

 length. The bees engaged at the bottom lengthen it downwards; those on 

 the sides widen it to right and left ; and those which are employed above 

 the thickest part extend its dimensions upwards. The more a comb is 

 enlarged below, the more it is necessary that it should be enlarged upwards 

 to the top of the hive. The bees that are engaged in lengthening the comb 

 work with more celerity than those which increase its width ; and those 

 that ascend or increase its width upwards, more slowly than the rest. 

 Hence it arises that it is longer than wide, and narrower towards the top 

 than towards the middle. The first formed cells are usually not so deep 

 as those in the middle ; but when the comb is of a certain height, they are 

 in haste to lengthen these cells so essential to the solidity of the whole, 

 sometimes even making them longer than the rest. The cells are not per- 

 fectly horizontal ; they are almost always a little higher towards their 

 mouth than at their base, so that their axis is not perpendicular to the par- 

 tition that separates the two assemblages. They sometimes vary from the 

 horizontal line more than 20°, usually 4° or 5'^. When the bees enlarge 

 the diameter of the cells preparatory to the formation of male cells, the 

 bottoms often consist of two rhomboids and two hexagons, the size and 

 form of which vary, and they correspond with four instead of three oppo- 

 site cells. The works of bees are symmetrical less perhaps in minute de- 

 tails than considered as a whole. Sometimes, indeed, their combs have a 

 fantastic form ; but this, if traced, will be found to be caused by circum- 

 stances ; one irregularity occasions another, and both usually have their 

 origin in the dispositions which we make them adopt. The inconstancy of 

 climate, too, occasions frequent interruptions, and injures the symmetry of 

 the combs ; for a work resumed is always less perfect than one followed up 

 until completed. 



At first the substance of the cells is of a dead white, semi-transparent, 

 soft, and though even, not smooth : but in a few days it loses most ot 

 these qualities, or rather acquires new ones j a yellow tint spreads over the 



T 4 



