118 Mr. G. R. Waterhouse on the 
comb with the piece to which I first drew attention, it will be 
seen that the diameter of each of these rudimentary cells is less 
than that of the more advanced cells. The most advanced of the 
four cells is already half-surrounded by the adjoining cells. 
This piece (PI. XIII. fig. 3), from the same great nest, is still fur- 
ther advanced. It consists of a comparatively deep cell (a)—still, 
however, nearly hemispherical—and five other cells in different 
stages of progress, enclosing about five-sixths of its circumference. 
Viewing this piece (exhibiting the foundations of six cells) in 
connexion with the other pieces exhibited, and, again, with a 
piece of comb in a still more advanced state, where all the cells 
are of one diameter, and all (except the outermost series) are 
hexagonal, it seems to me impossible to avoid the conclusion that 
the deepest and most advanced of the six cells was the one first 
formed; that the cell next formed was this one, which, you will 
perceive, is rather more advanced than the other cells surrounding 
the first one, and that this little shelf (b), with a very gently con- 
cave inner surface, was the last work of the insect; it is the com- 
mencement of the sixth cell. 
The work here is somewhat rude and irregular, as compared 
with that seen in cells more advanced in condition. For instance, 
this (c), which from its state of advancement must have been the 
fifth cell commenced, unlike the other cells surrounding the first 
one, does not come in immediate contact with it; at least, the par- 
tition between cell (a) and cell (c) is double the usual thickness. 
I have already described how the first cells constructed form, as 
it were, a mere expanded portion of the previously formed stalk. 
This stalk is more or less irregular, and in this particular instance 
it is strengthened by a lateral pillar, on the summit of which the 
fifth cell is commenced. Again, the axes of the cells surrounding 
the first cell are not equidistant. The centres of the shallow little 
cavities, presented by the earliest condition of the cells, are more 
approximated than in those which are more advanced; but of 
necessity, if the work is continued, the centres must be gradually 
shifted as the work proceeds, until the whole of the cells sur- 
rounding the first one shall have attained their full diameter. 
Then, the diameters of all the cells being equal, the circumference 
of cell 1 must admit of six other (and only six other) cells being 
joined to it. 
I have still other points to notice in connection with this par- 
ticular piece of comb. Here the first formed cell (or rather part 
of a cell, for we see no perfect cells in any of these specimens) is 
purely circular in its horizontal section, whilst the second and 
