INTERRELATIONS OF INSECTS 323 
hanging septum, on the opposite sides of which they proceed 
to bite out pits—the bottoms of the future cells—using the 
excavated wax in making the cell walls. The bottom of each 
cell consists of three rhombic plates (Fig. 278, A), and the 
cells of one side interdigitate with those of the other side (Fig. 
278, B) in such a way that each rhomb serves for two cells 
at once. Wax is such a precious substance that it is used 
(instinctively, however) always with the greatest economy; 
the cell walls are scraped to a thinness of 1/280 or even 1/400 
of an inch, and nowhere 1s more wax used than is sufficient 
for strength; one pound of wax makes from 35,000 to 50,000 
worker cells. The cells, at first circular in cross section, be- 
come hexagonal from the mutual interference of workers on 
opposite sides of the same : 
: Fic. 279. 
wall; the form, however, 
is by no means a regular 
hexagon in the mathemat- 
ical sense, for it is difficult 
to find a cell with errors 
of less than 3 or 4 degrees 
in its angles (Cheshire). 
Worker cells are one fifth 
of an inch in diameter, 
while the larger cells, des- 
tined for drones or to hold 
honey, are one quarter of 
an inch across. 
To strengthen the edges 
of cells or to fill crevices, 
the workers use propolis, 
the sticky exudation from 
Comb of honey bee, showing the insect in 
the buds or leaf axils ot various stages. At the right are large queen 
cells.—-After BENTON. 
poplar, fir, horsechestnut 
or other trees; though they will utilize instead such artificial 
substances as grease, pitch or varnish. As winter approaches, 
the bees apply the propolis liberally, making their abode tight 
and comfortable. 
