ARCHITECTURE OF HIVE-BEE. 



543 



must approach near to that of the cylinder, in order that 

 there may be the greatest economy of space ; but it is also 

 evident that if their walls were circular, a large quantity of 



Fig. 284. LARVJE OF BEE. 

 (Natural size and Magnified.) 



Fig. 285. PUPA. OF BEE. 

 (Magnified.) 



Fig. 286. HEXAGONAL CELLS. 



(Showing the manner of their 

 union at the Base.) 



material would be required to fill up the interspaces left 

 between them; whilst, by giving the cells the hexagonal 

 form, their walls everywhere have the same thickness, and 

 their cavity is sufficiently well adapted to the forms of the 

 larva and the pupa. 



713. Every comb contains two sets of cells, one opening on 

 each of its faces. The cells of one side, however, are not 

 exactly opposite to those of the other, for the middle of each 

 cell abuts against the point where 

 the walls of three cells meet on the 

 opposite side ; and thus the partition 

 that separates the cells of the op- 

 posite sides is greatly strengthened. 

 This partition is not flat, but con- 

 sists of three planes, which meet 

 each other at a particular angle, so as to make the centre 

 of the cell its deepest part. Of the three planes which form 

 the bottom of each cell, one forms part of the bottom of each 

 of the three cells against which it abuts on the opposite side, 

 as shown in the accompanying figure. Now it can be proved, 

 by the aid of mathematical calculation of a very high order, 

 that, in order to combine the greatest strength with the least 

 expenditure of material, the edges of these planes should have 

 a certain fixed inclination ; and- the angles formed by them 

 were ascertained by the measurement of Maraldi to be 

 109 28', and 70 32' respectively. By the very intricate 

 mathematical calculations of Koenig, it was determined that 

 the angles should be 109 26', and 70 34', a coincidence 

 between the theory of the Mathematician and the practice of 

 the Bee (untaught, save by its Creator^ which has been ever 



