THEIR HEXAGONAL FORM. 35 



example, in the cells of the bees and the wasps, which form 

 a regular hexagon (Fig. 6, b). Why, in the infinity of 

 polygons, has the instinct of these insects only chosen one 

 hexagon? What is the reason for this preference ? 



Fig. 6. 



If you interrogate geometry, it will reply to you that, of all 

 the polygons inscribed in a circle (Fig. 6, c\ there is but one 

 whose sides are equal to the radius of that circle j and this 

 polygon is exactly that of the bee and wasp's cell. Here, 

 then, is a very singular coincidence. If you afterwards 

 examine very minutely the work of the bee, you will find in 

 each cell of the honeycomb a pyramidal base, composed of 

 three equal rhombs, whose angles solve a grand geometrical 

 problem, that of giving the maximum of space with the 

 minimum of matter. The papier-mache' combs of the wasp 

 are formed of a single row of cells, each of which has a nearly 

 level bottom. This is all that is required ; for these cells 

 are destined, not for the reception of honey, but only of the 

 larvae, the offspring of their architects. 



Do not think that you have but to pick up a thumbful of 

 snow to procure your crystals ! These change their form very 

 quickly, and it is almost impossible to detect it in snow which 



