THE BEE. 83 



riably work in the dark : besides, the compound eyes, 

 from the shape of their facets, are far more likely 

 than the simple ones to receive impressions that 

 would lead to the formation of hexagonal cells ; this 

 theory is therefore hy no means probable. 



And lastly. Dr. Lankester, another of our most 

 talented naturalists, has expressed the opinion that 

 these cells are formed hexagonally ia consequence of 

 an impression made upon the antennae, or some other 

 organ of sense*, 



WeU, then, you wiU be disposed to ask, which of 

 these theories, apparently so much at variance, is the 

 correct one ? If the cells are not normally hexa- 

 gonal, and are not made so by an innate instiuctive 

 power of the animal ; if the change iu shape from the 

 cyhndrical to the hexedral form is not brought about 

 by the pressure of the Bees, and the disposition of 

 the simple eyes has nothing to do with it, pray to 

 what cause is this wonderful phenomenon to be attri- 

 buted? 



We should be glad if we could answer this question 

 finally and satisfactorily, but that we cannot do ; and, 

 indeed, if such observers as B/Caumur, Spence, Darwia, 

 and Tegetmeier, all of whom have carefully watched 

 the habits of the insect, cannot agree upon the sub- 

 ject, it is hardly to be expected that we shoidd decide 

 the controversy. It is, however, our business to 

 compare these theories, and a little reflection, free 



* See report of discussion on the foregoing paper by Mr. 

 Ellis.— 'AthenEemn,' No. 1616, Oct. 16, 1858. 



