34 SOCIAL HABITATIONS. 
markable uniformity of angle might have some connection 
with the wonderful economy of space which is observable in 
the Bee-comb, hit upon a very ingenious plan. Without 
mentioning his reasons for the question, he asked Keenig, 
the mathematician, to make the following calculation. 
Given a hexagonal vessel terminated by three lozenge- 
shaped plates; what are the angles which would give the 
greatest amount of space with the least amount of material ? 
Koenig made his calculations, and found that the angles 
were 109° 26’ and 70° 34’, almost precisely agreeing with 
the measurements of Maraldi. ‘The reader is requested 
to remember these angles. Reaumur, on receiving the 
answer, concluded that the Bee had very nearly solved 
the difficult mathematical problem, the difference between 
the measurement and the calculation being so small as to 
be practically negatived in the actual construction of so 
small an object as the Bee-cell. 
Mathematicians were naturally delighted with the re- 
sult of the investigation, for it showed how beautifully 
practical science could be aided by theoretical knowledge, 
and the construction of the Bee-cell became a famous 
problem in the economy of nature. In comparison with 
the honey which the cell is intended to contain, the wax 
is a rare aud costly substance, secreted in very small 
quantities, and requiring much time for its production ; it 
is therefore essential that the quantity of wax employed 
in making the comb should be as little, and that of the 
honey contained in it as great, as possible. 
For along time these statements remained uncontro- 
verted, Any one with the proper instruments could 
measure the angles for himself, and the calculations of a 
mathematician like Kcenig would hardly be questioned. 
However, Maclaurin, the well-known Scotch mathema- 
tician, was not satisfied. The two results very nearly 
