1/2 Hillside. 



equal spheres at a certain distance from each other in a 

 double layer, to excavate bases until the hollow spherical 

 bases almost break into each other, then to work up the wax 

 excavated along the lines thus formed, at the same time 

 hollowing out the basal corners farthest removed from the 

 adjacent cells until the walls become hexagonal in shape and 

 of such a degree of thinness that the honey may be contained 

 in them without the walls being ruptured by its weight. 

 The storage of honey for the winter months is absolutely 

 necessary to a hive bee, and we can readily understand 

 why nature should eventually lead them, by a few simple 

 instincts, to become such skilful architects, although they 

 themselves have no knowledge of the curves and angles, or 

 the perfect workmanship exhibited in their work. 



Thus far, then, we may suppose the work of the bee to be 

 due to a high form of insstinct, but cases are on record in 

 which the bees have shown decided marks of intelligence. 

 In some cases pieces of comb have become detached, and in 

 danger of falling, when the bees have detected it and fastened 

 it into position again. In one such case a thick layer of 

 wax was built between the falling comb and the next piece, 

 thus securing it firmly ; whilst thus secured the detached 

 piece of comb was fixed at its top to the roof of the hive, 

 after which the first horizontal support of wax was taken 

 away to be used elsewhere a decided proof of intelligence of 

 a distinctly higher type than that shown in the construction 

 of their cells, and yet resulting in the using of as little 

 material as possible, compatible with the successful carrying 

 out of their undertaking. 



We have previously spoken about the means of communi- 

 cation between ants; it has been just as satisfactorily 



