496 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



their mouth than at their base, so that their axis is not 

 perpendicular to the partition that separates the two as- 

 semblages. They sometimes vary from the horizontal 

 line more than 20, usually 4 or 5. When the bees 

 enlarge the diameter of the cells preparatory to the for- 

 mation of male cells, the bottoms often consist of two 

 rhomboids and two hexagons, the size and form of which 

 vary, and they correspond with four instead of three op- 

 posite cells. The works of bees are symmetrical less 

 perhaps in minute details than considered as a whole. 

 Sometimes, indeed, their combs have a fantastic form ; 

 but this, if traced, will be found to be caused by cir- 

 cumstances : one irregularity occasions another, and 

 both usually have their origin in the dispositions which 

 we make them adopt. The inconstancy of climate, too, 

 occasions frequent interruptions, and injures the sym- 

 metry of the combs ; for a work resumed is always less 

 perfect than one followed up until completed. 



At first the substance of the cells is of a dead white, 

 semitransparent, soft, and though even, not smooth : 

 but in a few days it loses most of these qualities, or 

 rather acquires new ones ; a yellow tint spreads over the 

 cells, particularly their interior surface : their edges be- 

 come thicker, and they have acquired a consistence, 

 which at first they did not 'possess. The combs also 

 when finished are heavier than the unfinished ones : these 

 last are broken by the slightest touch, whereas the former 

 will bend sooner than break. Their orifices also have 

 something adhesive, and they melt less readily ; whence 

 it is evident that the finished combs contain something 

 not present in the unfinished ones. In examining the 

 orifice of the yellow cells, their contour appeared to the 



