ARCHITECTURE OP BEES. 355 



convex. The depth of the brood-cells of drones 

 and working bees is about half an inch ; their dia- 

 meter is more exact, that of the drone-cells being 

 3^- lines *, that of the workers 2f lines. These, 

 says Reaumur, are the invariable dimensions of 

 all the cells, that ever were, or ever will be 

 made. 



From this uniform, unvarying diameter of the 

 brood-cells, when completed, their use has been 

 suggested, as an universal standard of measure, 

 which would be understood, in all countries, to 

 the end of time. 



" While heav'n-born Instinct bounds their measured view, 

 From age to age, from Zembla to Peru, 

 Their snow-white cells, the order' d artists frame, 

 In size, in form, in symmetry the same." EVANS. 



* A line is the twelfth part of an inch. 



