eS 
17 
with spherical ends be arranged with the spherical ends 
fitting as closely as possible, and the whole be squeezed 
together uniformly, a structure of solids exactly like the 
honeycomb will be the result; (iii.) That this result is 
geometrically identical with the result which would be 
obtained by two sets of similar excavating agents dis- 
tributed uniformly and as densely as possible (relative to 
the size of the holes they make) on two sides of a thick 
plate of material to be excavated, provided that the ex- 
cavators on each side are in positions relative to those 
on the other side, corresponding to the axis of the 
opposite layers of cylinders in (ii.). This proviso, it 
would seem, is a remarkable part of the achievement to 
be ascribed to the social intelligence of the bee in the 
architecture of the honeycomb. The lecturer concluded 
with a brief account of the subsequent history of the 
colonising swarm of bees. 
Foe 
Outdoor Meetings. 
On Saturday afternoon, 19th April, 1902, a party of 
members of the Society visited the Museum of Practical 
Geology in Jermyn Street. Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., 
the Curator, conducted the members round the Museum 
and pointed out and explained all the most salient 
features of the interesting collections. 
On Saturday, May 3rd, 1902, aramble in the neigh- 
bourhood of Northwood was conducted by Mr. James E. 
Whiting. The company assembled at Northwood Station, 
and after strolling across the Common, took the road 
