The Foundation of the City 
61 
Were it our desire to throw light 
upon all the secrets of this geometric 
architecture, we should have more than 
one curious question still to consider : as, 
for instance, the shape of the first cells, 
which, being attached to the roof, are 
modified in such a manner as to touch 
the roof at the greatest possible number 
of points. 
The design of the principal thoroughfares 
is determined by the parallelism of the 
combs, but we must admire the ingenious 
construction of alleys and gangways through 
and around the comb, so skilfully contrived 
as to provide short cuts in every direction 
and prevent the traffic becoming congested, 
while ensuring free circulation of air. And 
finally we should have to study the con- 
struction of transition cells, wherein we see 
a unanimous instinct at work that impels 
the bees at a given moment to increase 
the size of their dwellings. Three reasons 
may dictate this step: an extraordinary 
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