COMBS SHOULD BE BUILT STRAIGHT. 279 



eral panels of one cell forms, also, one of the panels 

 of an adjoining cell ; and of the three rhombs which 

 form the pyramidal base of a cell, each contributes 

 one-third towards the formation of the bases of three 

 opposing cells, the bottom or center of every cell rest- 

 ing against the point of union of three panels, that 

 are at the back of it. 



" SECOND. ifconomy of room ; no interstices being 

 left between adjoining cells. 



" THIRD. The greatest possible capacity or inter- 

 nal space, consistent with the two former desiderata. 



" FOURTH. Economy of material and economy of 

 room, produce economy of labor. And in addition to 

 these advantages, the cells are constructed in the 

 strongest manner possible, considering the quantity 

 of material employed. Both the sides and bases are 

 so exquisitely thin, that it has been calculated that 

 three or four, placed on each other, are not thicker 

 than a leaf of common writing paper ; each cell sep- 

 arately weak, is strengthened by its coincidence with 

 other cells." 



The wax of which the combs arc constructed is 

 elaborated by the worker bee. (See Chapter in.) 



COMBS SHOULD BE BUILT STRAIGHT. 



Whenever bees are building comb, it is important 

 to notice, at short intervals, whether they are making 

 it straight. If found to deviate, proceed as follows: 

 If slight, take a knife with a broad blade, and press 



