WAX. 63 



The cells of the first row laid down are pentagonal 

 in shape. This gives them a stronger attachment to 

 the hive than if they had had the hexagonal figure 

 of the succeeding rows. But no form besides the six- 

 sided prism would have answered all the conditions 

 of the problem " how with the least expenditure of 

 material to secure the greatest available space with 

 the best arrangement for the purposes to be served." 



Approached from the purely theoretical side, the 

 question has been investigated by mathematicians. 



Fig. 14. — Diagram of Cells. 



It requires no great acumen to determine that a 

 hexagon of some sort is the geometrical figure which 

 must be adopted. An equilateral triangle would 

 make a very unsuitable abode for an insect with a 



Fig. 15. — Supposed Circular Cells. 



nearly round body. A square cell would hardly be 

 more convenient. A series of circles would, of course, 

 leave interstices between them, causing a useless 

 expenditure of space, material, time and strength. 



