The Life of the Bee 
might reply, first of all, with Brougham, 
Kirby and Spence, and others, that experi- 
ments with peas and soap-bubbles prove 
nothing ; for the reason that in both cases 
the pressure produces only irregular forms, 
and in nowise 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 trigonz 
and melipone 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 inclination, obeys many 
other laws that are not to be found in 
matter. May we not say too of man that 
all his genius is comprised in his fashion of 
handling kindred necessities? And if it 
appear to us that his manner of treating 
these is the best there can possibly be, the 
162 
