WAX AND COMB. 193 
the inherent necessities of the bee. 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 
Ibs., and some assume it to be as much as 25 Ibs. Ad- 
mitting that no more than 15 Ibs. 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 suc- 
ceeded in manufacturing 
combs of very light tin, 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 a 
half cell. 
9 
MACHINE FOR METALLIC COMB. 
