HAEITATIONS OF IXSTCTS. 497 



ing to the height and length of the mass; and when 

 they cease to act, a bee, if the term may be used, of 

 another profession, one of the nurse-bees, goes to form 

 the draught of the first cell, in which she is succeeded 

 by others. 



The diameters of the cells intended for the larvcB of 

 workers is always '2^ lines, that of those meant for the 

 larvas of the males or drones 3^ lines. The male cells 

 are generally in tlie middle of the combs, or in their 

 sides; never in their upper part. They are never in- 

 sulated, but form a corresponding- group on both sides 

 tlie comb. When the bees form male cells below those 

 of neuters, tliey construct many rows of intermediate 

 ones, the diameter of which augments progressively 

 till it attains that of a male cell; and they observe the 

 same method when they revert from male cells to those 

 of neuters. It appears to be the oviposition of the 

 queen which decides the kind of cells that are to be 

 made: while she lays the eggs of workers, no male 

 cells are constructed ; but when she is about to lay the 

 eggs of males, the neuters appear to know it and act 

 accordingly. — When there is a very large harvest of 

 honey, the bees increase the diameter and even the 

 length of their cells. At this time many irregular 

 combs may be seen w>th cells of twelve, fifteen, and 

 even eighteen lines in length. Sometimes also they 

 have occasion to shorten the cells. When they wish to 

 lengthen an old comb, the tubes of which have acquired 

 their full dimensions, they gradually diminish tlie thick- 

 ness of its edges, gnawing down the sides of the cells 

 till it assumes the lenticular form : they then engraft a 

 mass of wax round it, and so proceed witJi new cells. 



VOL. I. 2 K 



