SYMMETRY OF THE HONEY-COMB. 125 



Not content with using the word both in a literal and 

 in a metaphorical sense, the Poet has interwoven it 

 into several endearing epithets, as "honey love;" 

 " honey niirse," &c.; and in " Juhus Caesar," the still 

 more euphonious expression, — 



" Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber. " — Act II. Sc. I. 



The admirable symmetry and regularity of the 

 combs have, no doubt, attracted your attention ; 

 but perhaps you are not aware, that their form is 

 almost that which a mathematician would select to 

 combine the greatest extent of accommodation and 

 greatest strength, with the smallest expenditure of 

 material. The cells are arranged so close together, 

 and in a manner so skilful, that no space is lost 

 between them. The knowledge of the fact, that 

 there are no vacant spaces between the cells, gives 

 increased effect to the words of Prospero, when he 

 replies to the imprecations of Caliban : — 



" Tliou shalt be pinch'd 



As thick as honey-combs : each pinch more stinging: 

 Than bees that made 'em." 



Tempest, Act I. Sc. II. 



This passage refers to a fact in the economy of bees, 

 which I have not yet noticed : I mean their power 

 of stinging. Of this fact, almost every one has. 



