84 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



sionally do. This is done by interposing from one 

 to three courses of cells, which may very appropri- 

 ately be called transition cells, the bottoms of which 

 are composed of two rhombs and two hexagons, in- 

 stead of three rhombs ; the rhombs and hexagons 

 gradually varying in form and relative proportion, 

 till the requisite size, namely, that of the cells which 

 they are approaching, has been attained. The same 

 rule is observed when returning to small cells ; every 

 apparent regularity is therefore determined by a 

 sufficient motive, and forms no impeachment of the 

 sagacity of the bee. These deviations from the usual 

 regularity which is observed, should serve to increase 

 our admiration of the architectural powers possessed 

 by the bee. 



Toward the latter part of the season, when honey 

 is very abundant, and indeed earlier in the season, 

 in time of white clover, when there are surplus honey 

 boxes placed on top of the hive, or when there 

 is room yet unoccupied inside of the hive, par- 

 ticularly next the sides, they build what is called 

 store combs, in which honey alone is stored ; and 

 when honey is abundant and the weather warm, 

 these cells are built to a great length, making the 

 combs very thick and irregular. Still, however, their 

 diameter, with the exception of transition cells, is 

 uniformly that of drone or worker cells; but the 

 texture of their walls is thinner, and they have 

 more dip or upward inclination, which, doubtless, is 

 for the purpose of preventing the honey from run- 

 ning out, which it is likely to do when it is being 



