BEES. 73 



first excavation, while the two hollows upon Fig*. 3, show 

 the two cells commenced upon the opposite side of the 

 hlock. Fig;. 2 merely shows the usual thickness of the first 

 block. Now a wonderful change in the form of the cells 

 takes place. Whether it be that instinct implanted in 

 these insects forces them to act in a certain way, or whether 

 it is that they have sufficient skill to direct themselves^ 

 we cannot tell. Up to this time the shape of the cells has 

 been cylindrical, and if the block were cut throug-h trans- 

 versely, it would present the appearance given (much mag"- 

 nified) in Fig*. 5, the centre of one cell exactly coinciding' 

 with the junction of two cells upon the opposite side. In 

 this shape, however, they remain no longer. The bees are 

 aware that would cause an unnecessary expenditure of wax, 

 decrease the available space of the hive, and probably inter- 

 fere with that perfect ventilation, or at least purity of air, 

 which they obtain by methods that surpass our skill to find 

 out, much less rival. '^ From some eudiometrical experi- 

 ments it has been ascertained that the air of a well-stocked 

 hive is as pure as that by which it is surrounded."* So 

 the bees, working to a perfect plan laid down for them by 

 their architect, obtain a perfect result. By gradually cut- 

 ting away all superfluous wax in the semicircles first 

 formed, the walls become straight, and eventually the cells 

 of two tiers present the aspect here shown : — 



Fig. 6. 



« Dr. Bevan's Honey-Bee, The best bee-book, on the whole, pub- 

 lished in England. 



