WA.X AND COMB, 193 



the inherent necessities of the hee. It is proved by actual 

 experiment that a cell with a flat base is equally as prac- 

 tical as that with the three-angled base, constructed by 

 the bee ; and I am confident that a round cell of suitable 

 dimensions would answer their real wants as well as a 

 hexagonal one. 



COST OF COMB. 



The cost of comb in labor and material is largely under- 

 estimated. The amount of honey required to secrete a 

 pound of wax, is generally thought to be not less than 15 

 lbs., and some assume it to be as much as 25 lbs. Ad- 

 mitting that no more than 15 lbs. is used, this expendi- 

 ture is a sufficient argument for the exercise of careful 

 supervision of the construction of combs, that none be 

 built to a manifest disadvantage, as well as, that no part 

 shall be allowed to go to waste. 



ARTIFICIAL COMB, 



While an artificial comb, with cells of the full depth, 

 and practical in all respects, has not yet been offered for 

 our consideration, I must 

 express my belief that such 

 will yet be made. In 1870 

 Mr. Quinby experimented 

 largely in this direction, and 

 although complete success 

 did not crown his efforts, he 

 established some curious and , ^ , , 

 interesting facts. He sue- i 



ceeded in manufacturing ^'S- 'i'5- 



. , T 1 J. J.- MACHIKE FOB METALLIC COMB. 



combs of very light tm, as 



follows : Strips of tin were cut '/„ inch wide, and 

 passed between two rollers (fig. 75), which were so con- 

 structed as to crimp the tin into the exact shape of i 

 half cell. 

 9 



