S56 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Exact proportion of the cells. 



roves in the fields in search of materials; another 

 employs itself in laying out the bottom and par- 

 titions of their cells; a third is employed in mak- 

 ing the inside smooth from the corners and 

 angles; and the fourth company bring food for 

 the rest, or relieve those who return with their 

 respective burthens. But they are not constant 

 to one employment : they often change the tasks 

 assigned them; those that have been at work, 

 being permitted to go abroad; and those that 

 have been in the fields already, take their places. 

 Their labour and diligence are so great, that, in 

 a day's time, they are able to make cells, which 

 lie upon each other, numerous enough to contain 

 three thousand bees. These cells are formed in 

 the exactest proportion. Pappus, an ancient 

 geometrician, said, that of all figures, hexagons 

 were the most convenient; for, when placed 

 touching each other, the most convenient room 

 would be given, and the smallest lost. The 

 cells of the bees are perfect hexagons: these, 

 in every honey-comb, are double, opening on 

 either side, and closed at the bottom. The 

 bottoms are composed of little triangular panes, 

 which, when united together, terminate in a 

 point, and lie exactly upon the extremities of 

 other panes of the 'same shape, in opposite cells. 

 These lodgings have spaces, like streets, be- 

 tween them, large enough for the purposes here- 

 after mentioned; and yet narrow enough to pre- 

 serve the necessary heat. The mouxh of every 



3 



