INTERRELATIONS OF INSECTS 



323 



FIG. 279. 



hanging septum, on the opposite sides of which they proceed 

 to bite out pits the bottoms of the future cells using the 

 excavated wax in making the cell walls. The bottom of each 

 cell consists of three rhombic plates (Fig. 278, A), and the 

 cells of one side interdigitate with those of the other side (Fig. 

 278, B) in such a way that each rhomb serves for two cells 

 at once. Wax is such a precious substance that it is used 

 (instinctively, however) always with the greatest economy; 

 the cell walls are scraped to a thinness of 1/280 or even 1/400 

 of an inch, and nowhere is more wax used than is sufficient 

 for strength; one pound of wax makes from 35,000 to 50,000 

 worker cells. The cells, at first circular in cross section, be- 

 come hexagonal from the mutual interference of workers on 

 opposite sides of the same 

 wall; the form, however, 

 is by no means a regular 

 hexagon in the mathemat- 

 ical sense, for it is difficult 

 to find a cell with errors 

 of less than 3 or 4 degrees 

 in its angles (Cheshire). 

 Worker cells are one fifth 

 of an inch in diameter, 

 while the larger cells, des- 

 tined for drones or to hold 

 honey, are one quarter of 

 an inch across. 



To strengthen the edges 

 of cells or to fill crevices, 

 the workers use propolis, 

 the sticky exudation from 

 the buds or leaf axils of 

 poplar, fir, horsechestnut 

 or other trees; though they will utilize instead such artificial 

 substances as grease, pitch or varnish. As winter approaches, 

 the bees apply the propolis liberally, making their abode tight 

 and comfortable. 



Comb of honey bee, showing the insect in 

 various stages. At the right are large queen 

 cells. After BENTON. 



