Building Comb — An Accident. 69 



back to back. If the bottoms of these opposite sets 

 of cells had been exactly opposite to each other, 

 they would have been dangerously thin ; and the 

 architects, knowing this very well, arranged that the 

 bottom of each cell should be opposite part of the 

 bottoms of three cells on the other side of the 

 comb. 



In this manner, the thin plate of wax forming the 

 bottom was in every case strengthened and sup- 

 ported by the bases of three contingent walls behind 

 it. For the bees, having so well economized their 

 space, were determined not to use an atom more 

 wax than was really necessary. 



" Let us be consistent all through," they said, 

 "and then we shall make a job of it." 



For nearly a week Buz stuck to her post, only 

 going out occasionally. At the end of that time so 

 much of the comb had been made, that she, with 

 many others, was employed in gathering honey. 



It was the beginning of June, there were plenty of 

 flowers about, and the honey season was good. 

 Things were looking up. Fortune, however, delights 

 in a practical joke, and often, so to speak, cuts a 

 hammock down when the owner is most comfortably 

 asleep. A terrible accident happened to the bees, 

 just at the time they seemed so prosperous. 



