ARCHITECTURE OF HIVE-BEE. 543 
st approach near to that of the cylinder, in order that 
ere may be the greatest economy of space ; but it is also 
dent that if their walls were circular, a large quantity of 
Fig. 285.—Pupa or Bez. 
‘Natural size and Magnified.) ( Magnified.) 
_ Fig. 281.—Larvz or Bee. 
aterial would be required to fill up the interspaces left 
stween them; whilst, by giving the cells the hexagonal 
form, their walls everywhere have the same thickness, and 
ir cavity is sufficiently well adapted to the forms of the 
ya and the pupa. 
713. Every comb contains two sets of cells, one opening on 
h of its faces. The cells of one side, however, are not 
y opposite to those of the other, for the middle of each 
abuts against the point where 
pe 
e walls of three cells meet on the 
posite side ; and thus the partition - 
at separates the cells of the op- 
site sides is greatly strengthened. Fig. 286.—Hexacoxat Certs. 
is partition is not flat, but con- (Showing the manner of their 
s of three planes, which meet ~—_ 
ach other at a particular angle, so as to make the centre 
Mf the cell its deepest part. Of the three planes which form 
i bottom of each cell, one forms part of the bottom of each 
4 the three cells against which it abuts on the opposite side, 
S shown in the accompanying figure. Now it can be proved, 
the aid of mathematical calculation of a very high order, 
hat, in order to combine the greatest strength with the least 
penditure of material, the edges of these planes should have 
ertain fixed inclination ; and the angles formed by them 
re ascertained by the measurement of Maraldi to be 
2 28’, and 70° 32’ respectively. By the very intricate 
athematical calculations of Koenig, it was determined that 
angles should be 109° 26’, and 70° 34',—a coincidence 
jween the theory of the Mathematician and the practice of 
Bee (untaught, save by its Creator’, which has been ever 
a A ee a ee 
