THE BEE. 



thus a geometrical figure, having as much regularity as the 

 hexagonal tube, of which it forms the termination, but constructed 



Fig. 21. 



on a totally different principle. The angles of the lozenges, 

 which form its sides, are one obtuse and the other acute ; and these 

 pyramidal bases of the cells, on one side of the comb, fit into 

 corresponding cavities, made by the similar pyramidal bases of the 

 cells, on the other side of the comb, so as to leave no intermediate 

 unoccupied space. 



58. Without the aid of perspective figures, and even with such 

 aid, without some effort of imagination on the part of the reader, 

 it would be impossible to convey a clear notion of this part of the 

 structure of the honey-comb, and yet without such a clear notion 

 it would be totally impossible to appreciate the admirable results 

 of bee industry. We -have, therefore, attempted to represent in 

 figs. 22 and 23, the bases of four contiguous cells seen from the 

 inside and from the outside. In fig. 22 is presented an inside view 

 of the bases of three adjacent cells, a a a. It must be observed that 

 a a a are here intended to represent angular cavities, each formed 

 by the junction of three lozenge-shaped planes, such as have been 

 just described. Now it will be seen, that as a necessary consequence 

 of this juxtaposition, a figure will be formed at b, by three lozenge- 

 28 



