9084 Entomological Society. 
favour of the supposition that bees when left to their own resources construct a pre- 
cisely similar basement. In fine, Mr. Smith could not regard bees and wasps as 
creatures that would instinctively construct circular-cylindrical cells, but whose labours 
always eventuated in the production of hexagonal ones; on the contrary, he regarded 
them as creatures that would instinctively construct hexagonal cells, and the hexagons 
actually produced were only the carrying into effect the original intention of the 
builders. 
Mr. Marshall (who was present as a visitor) asked Mr. Smith whether he thought 
a hexagonal foundation would be laid in a case where it was not in contemplation to 
form other cells in immediate juxta-position? or would a cell be hexagonal if there 
were no other cells adjoining to force it into that form? In his opinion, the hexagonal 
shape was due to the fact that there were other, as it were, competing cells around, 
and to the pressure of such competing cells on that whose form they thus determined : 
this also accounted for the fact that the exterior cells were circular. Competition and 
pressure were the causes of the hexagonal shape of the cell. 
Mr. Newman enquired to what extent Mr. Smith would carry his principle of 
intention? Would he apply it equally to the case of the larva-cells of Microgaster 
alvearius? Was it applicable to the aggregation of lenses in the eyes of insects? or 
could it afford any explanation of the hexagonal form of pillars of basalt? 
Mr. Waterhouse thought he had, in his paper, anticipated and answered most, if 
not all, of Mr. Smith’s objections to the circular theory; he admitted, however, that 
the nest of Polistes Tasmaniensis presented a difficulty, but thought an isolated 
instance of unnatural formation was insufficient to overthrow the theory ; he admitted 
also Mr. Smith’s greater practical acquaintance with the nests of bees and wasps; but 
he considered the vice of Mr. Smith’s paper to be that it overlooked or did not give 
sufficient attention to the circular marginal cells: according to the “intentional 
theory,” the marginal cells ought to be as exactly hexagonal as the rest, but this was 
not the case; it was upon observations of the marginal cells that the “ circular 
theory” was grounded, and for their form, as well as for the hexagonal form of the 
surrounded cells, the circular theory accounted, Whereas the ivtentional theory of 
Mr. Smith applied to the central cells only, and left the other case entirely un- 
explained. At any rate the two theories were before the Society, and he hoped the 
two papers would be published together, so that Members, caring naught for either 
theory as such, might impartially draw their conclusions for themselves. 
New Part of the ‘ Transactions.’ 
A new Part of the ‘ Transactions,’ Series 3, Vol. i. Part 9, being the concluding 
part of the volume, and the first published during the present year, was on the table. 
May 2, 1864,—F. P. Pascoe, Esq., President, in the chair. 
— 
Donations to the Library. 
The following donations were announced, and thanks yoted to the donors :— 
*Mémoires de la Société de Physique et d’Histoire Naturelle de Genéve, Vol. xvi. 
Parts 1 and 2; Vol. xvii. Part 1; presented by the Society. ‘ Proceedings of the . 
ee a 
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