ARCHITECTURE OF HIVE-BEE. 
5 43 
must approach near to that of the cylinder, in order that 
there may he the greatest economy of space; but it is also 
evident that if their walls were circular, a large quantity of 
Fig. 281.— Larvje of Bee. Fig. 285.— Pupa of Bee. 
(Natural size and Magnified.) (Magnified.) 
material would be required to fill up the interspaces left 
between them; whilst, by giving the cells the hexagonal 
form, their walls everywhere have the same thickness, and 
their cavity is sufficiently well adapted to the forms of the 
larva and the pupa. 
713. Every comb contains two sets of cells, one opening on 
each of its faces. The cells of one side, however, are not 
exactly opposite to those of the other, for the middle of each 
cell abuts against the point where 
the walls of three cells meet on the 
opposite side ; and thus the partition 
that separates the cells of the op¬ 
posite sides is greatly strengthened. Fig. 286 .— Hexagonal Cells. 
This partition is not flat, but con- (Showing the manner of their 
• , n ,■i i i i i union at the Base.) 
sists ot three planes, which meet 
each other at a particular angle, so as to make the centre 
of the cell its deepest part. Of the three planes which form 
the bottom of each cell, one forms part of the bottom of each 
of the three cells against which it abuts on the opposite side, 
as shown in the accompanying figure. Now it can be proved, 
by the aid of mathematical calculation of a very high order, 
that, in order to combine the greatest strength with the least 
expenditure of material, the edges of these planes should have 
a certain fixed inclination; and the angles formed by them 
were ascertained by the measurement of Maraldi to be 
109° 28', and 70° 32' respectively. By the very intricate 
mathematical calculations of Koenig, it was determined that 
the angles should be 109° 26', and 70° 34',—a coincidence 
between the theory of the Mathematician and the practice of 
the Bee (untaught, save by its Creator), which has been ever 
