COMB. 75 



receptacles excluding the air, can appreciate the value of 

 such an arrangement. 



" There are only three possible figures of the cells," says 

 Dr. Reid, " which can make them all equal and similar, 

 ■without any useless spaces between them. These are the 

 equilateral triangle, the square, and the regular hexagon. 

 It is well known to mathematicians, that there is not a 

 fourth way possible in which a plane m^y be cut into ht- 

 tle spaces that shall be equal, similar, and regular, with- 

 out leaving any interstices." 



An equilateral triangle would have made a very uncom- 

 fortable tenement for an insect with a roimd body ; and a 

 square cell would have been but little better. A circle 

 seems to be the best shape for the development of the 

 larvae ; but such a figure would have caused a needless 

 sacrifice of space, materials, and strength ; while the honey, 

 which adheres so admirably to the many angles of the 

 six-sided cell, would have been much more liable to run 

 out. The body of the immature insect, as it undergoes 

 its changes, is charged with a superabundance of moisture, 

 which passes ofi" through the reticulated cover of its, 

 cell ; may not a hexagon, therefore, while approaching so 

 nearly to the shape of a circle, as not to incommode the 

 young bee, furnish, in its six corners, the necessary vacan- 

 cies for a mare thorough ventilation ? 



Is it credible that these little insects can unite so many 

 requisites in the construction of their cells, either by chance, 

 or because they are profoundly versed in the most intricate 

 mathematics? Are we not compelled to acknowledge 

 that the mathematics by which they construct a shape so 

 complicated, and yet the only one which can unite so many 

 desirable requirements, must be referred to the Creator, 

 and not to his puny creature ? To an intelligent and can- 



