HEXAGONAL STRUCTURE. 



56. On further examining the comb, it will be found that the 

 hexagonal spaces presented by its surface are the mouths of so 



Fig. 20. 



many hexagonal tubes which are filled with honey. If any of 

 these be empty, it will be seen that the depth of these tubes is 

 half the thickness of the comb. 



57. It appears therefore that the honey-comb is a combination 

 of hexagonal tubes, placed in juxtaposition, the angles of the 

 hexagon being fitted into each other like the stones of a mosaic 

 pavement ; that there are two systems of such tubes, meeting in 

 the middle of the thickness of the comb, their mouths being pre- 

 sented outwards on both sides, and consequently their bases 

 resting against each other. 



If by the dissection of the comb, the forms of their bases be 

 examined, they will be found to consist, not as might be at first 

 supposed of plane regular hexagons, which would be the case if 

 they were plane surfaces at right angles to the tube ; they will 

 be found, on the other hand, to have the form of pyramids, each of 

 which is composed of three regular lozenges united together at 

 their edges, so as to form an apex ; this apex being pointed always 

 towards the opposite side of the comb. The pyramidal base is 



27 



