The Life of the Bee 



[55] 



" There are only," says Dr. Reid, *' three 

 possible figures of the cells which can 

 make them all equal and similar, without 

 any useless interstices. These are the 

 equilateral triangle, the square, and the 

 regular hexagon. Mathematicians know 

 that there is not a fourth way possible in 

 which a plane shall be cut into little spaces 

 that shall be equal, similar, and regular, 

 without useless spaces. Of the three 

 figures, the hexagon is the most proper 

 for convenience and strength. Bees, as 

 if they knew this, make their cells regular 

 hexagons. 



" Again, it has been demonstrated that, 

 by making the bottoms of the cells to 

 consist of three planes meeting in a point, 

 there is a saving of material and labour in 

 no way inconsiderable. The bees, as if 

 acquainted with these principles of solid 

 192 



