COMBS. 31 



the axis of the cell on the opposite surface, but with one 

 of its angles, so that each of the three obtuse angles, 

 at the base of the terminal pyramid, corresponds to the 

 central parts of three of the cells on the opposite side. 

 We may easily satisfy ourselves that such is the case, 

 by piercing the centres of each of the three planes which 

 close the bottom of a cell with a pin, when on turning 

 the comb the three pins will be found to have passed 

 into three different cells on the opposite side. No one 

 has yet been able to explain how bees could have 

 adopted and adhered to so regular a plan of architecture, 

 and what principles can actuate so great a multitude to 

 co-operate by the most effectual and systematic mode in 

 its^completion. Several theories have been promulgated, 

 but none have borne the test of serious examination. 

 The foundations of the combs are laid by the bees raising 

 a solid block or plate of wax of a semi-circular form. In 

 this they scoop out a small vertical channel of the size of 

 an ordinary cell. The sides of this channel are then 

 strengthened by additions of wax. On the opposite side 

 two other channels are formed, one on each side of the 

 plane opposite to the former channel. The extremities 

 of these channels, which first present a curved outline, 

 are then fashioned into straight walls forming an angle 

 at each vertex. The bottom of each cell being thus 

 sketched out, the design is completed by raising walls 

 round the sides. Different bees generally work on the 

 opposite sides at the same time, and appear to have some 

 perception of the thickness of the partitions and of the 

 situation of the opposite walls, in which they are perhaps 

 guided by strong prominences occasioned by the depres- 

 sions which correspond to them on the other side ; and 

 they scrape off the wax in those places where its thick- 

 ness is greatest, that is, where the bees on the other side 



