12 The Ilahitu oj the no.ieiibee 



thus liaiig- in curtains. Finally, after enough wax ha.- 

 been formed, they begin to build. The small flakes of 

 wax are passed forward to the mouth, there mixed 

 with a salivary secretion to make the wax pliable, and 

 then are placed on the top of the hive by the first 

 comb-builders. Other workers then come and place 

 their small burdens of wax on those first deposited, 

 and this continues until the combs are finished. Thei-e 

 is more to comb-building than the mere sticking on of 

 wax plates, however; and nothing in all bee instincts 

 is more wonderful than the beautiful plan on whicli 



GROWTH OF LARVAE. 



they build the comb. The cells are hexagonal in shape, 

 so that each cell in the center of the comb is surround- 

 ed by six others. Nor is this the only remarkable thing 

 in their architecture, for each comb is composed of a 

 double row of cells, the base of each cell being formed 

 of three parts, each one of which is likewise a part of 

 a separate cell of the other side of the comb. By this 

 method the bees obtain the greatest possible capacity 

 for their cells, with the least expenditure of wax. The 

 accuracy of the cells of the comb has in all ages been 

 an object of admiration of naturalists and beekeepers ; 

 and while the degree of perfection assigned to these 

 (ells has undoubtedly been overstated by many writers, 



