BEES. 63 



ing void spaces, the bases of the cells in one 

 stratum of a comb serve also for bases to 

 the opposite stratum. In short, the more 

 minutely the construction is examined, the 

 more will the admiration of the observer be 

 excited. The walls of the cells are so ex- 

 tremely thin that their mouths might be 

 thought in danger of suffering by the frequent 

 entering and issuing of the bees. To pre- 

 vent this disaster, however, they make a 

 kind of rim round the margin of each cell, 

 and this rim is three or four times thicker 

 than the walls. The following cut will give 

 a clear idea of the forms of these cells. 



It is difficult to perceive, even with the 

 assistance of glass -hives, the manner in 



