124 INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



they could do so over the sHps resting on the combs^ 

 which left a vacuity five inches high above them. As 

 we had foreseen, the swarm with which this box was 

 peopled established itself among the combs below. 

 We then observed the nurse-bees displaying their 

 natural activity. .They dispersed themselves through- 

 out the hive, to feed the young grubs, to clear out 

 their lodgment, and adapt it for their convenience. 

 Certainly, the combs, which were roughly cut to fit 

 the bottom of the box, and in some parts damaged, 

 appeared to them shapeless and misplaced; for they 

 speedily commenced their reparation. They beat 

 down the old wax, kneaded it between their teeth, and 

 thus formed binding materials to consolidate them. 

 We were astonished beyond expression by such a 

 multitude of workers employed at once in labours 

 to which it did not appear they should have been 

 called, at their coincidence, their zeal, and their pru- 

 dence. 



" But it was still more wonderful, that about half 

 the numerous population took no part in the pro- 

 ceedings, remaining motionless, while the others ful- 

 filled the functions required. The wax-workers, in 

 a state of absolute repose, recalled our former obser- 

 vations. Gorged with the honey we had put within 

 their reach, and continuing in this condition during 

 twenty-four hours, wax was formed under their 

 rings, and was now ready to be put in operation. 

 To our great satisfaction we soon saw a little foun- 

 dation wall rising on one of the slips that we had 

 prepared to receive the superstructure. No obstacle 

 was offered to the progress of our observations; and 

 for the second time, we beheld both the undertaking 

 of the founder bee, and the successive labours of 

 several wax-workers, in forming the foundation wall. 

 Would that my readers could share the interest which 

 the view of these architects inspired! 



