THE FOUNDATION OF THE CITY 107 



as it swells, to occupy the utmost possible space within a given 

 space ; wherefore it follows that the reciprocal compression 

 compels them all to become hexagonal. Similarly each bee 

 seeks to occupy the utmost possible space within a given 

 space, with the necessary result that, its body being cylindrical, 

 the cells become hexagonal for the same reason as before, viz., 

 the working of reciprocal obstacles." 



60 



These reciprocal obstacles, it would seem, are capable 

 of marvellous achievement ; on the same principle, doubtless, 

 that the vices of man produce a general virtue, whereby the 

 human race, hateful often in its individuals, ceases to be so 

 in the mass. We might reply, first of all, with Brougham, 

 Kirby and Spence, and others, that experiments with peas 

 and soap-bubbles prove nothing ; for the reason that in both 

 cases the pressure produces only irregular forms, and in no- 

 wise explains the existence of the prismatic base of the cells. 

 But above all we might answer that there are more ways 

 than one of dealing with rigid necessity : that the wasp, the 

 humble-bee, the trigone and meliponas of Mexico and Brazil, 

 achieve very different and manifestly inferior results, although 

 the circumstances, and their own intentions, are absolutely 

 identical with those of the bees. It might further be urged 

 that if the bee's cell does indeed follow the law that governs 

 crystals, snow, and soap-bubbles, as well as Buffon's boiled 

 peas, it also, through its general symmetry, disposition in 

 opposite layers, and angle of incHnation, obeys many other 

 laws that are not to be found in matter. May we not say 



