84 COMB. 



varies : the same may substantially be said of the drone 

 cells which are very considerably larger ; the cells in which 

 honey is stored, often vary exceedingly in depth, while in 

 diameter, they are of all sizes from that of the worker cells 

 to that of the drones. As five worker, or four drone cells 

 will measure about one linear inch, a piece of comb an inch 

 square, wrill contain twenty-five worker and sixteen drone 

 cells, on each side. 



The cells of the bees are found to answer perfectly all 

 the most subtle conditions of a very intricate mathematical 

 problem. Let it be required to find what shape a given 

 quantity of matter must take, in order to have the greatest 

 capacity and strength, requiring at the same time, the least 

 space and labor in its construction. This problem, when 

 solved by the most refined mathematical processes, gives the 

 hexagonal or six-sided cell of the honey bee, with its three 

 four sided figures at the base ! 



The shape of these figures cannot be altered, ever so lit- 

 tle, except for the worse. Besides possessing the desirable 

 qualities already described, they answer as nurseries for 

 rearing the young, and as small air-tight vessels to preserve 

 the honey from souring or candying. Every prudent house- 

 wife who puts up her preserves in tumblers, or small glass 

 jars, and carefully pastes them over, to keep out the air, will 

 understand the value of such an arrangement. 



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

 Dr. Eeid, " 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 may be cut into little spaces 

 that shall be equal, similar and regular, without leaving any 

 interstices." 



