78 



INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



artificial, the plan of its construction is much the 

 same. A number of honey-combs, chiefly com- 

 posed of six-sided cells, regularly applied to each 



other's sides, and 

 arranged in two 

 layers, are fixed to 

 the upper part and 

 sides of the inte- 

 rior of the hive. 

 These combs are 

 arranged at a small 

 distance from each 

 other, and the cells 

 have their openings 

 into the spaces between them, which are wide 

 enough to allow two bees to pass each other 

 easily. Besides these vacancies the combs are 

 here and there pierced with holes, which serve as 

 a means of communication from one comb to 

 another, without losing time by going round. 



The cells being formed of wax, a substance 

 secreted by the bees in no great abundance, it is 

 important that as little as possible should be COD- 



INTERIOR OF THE HIVE. 



