496 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



they can work in the dark, and raise those wonderful 

 combs the first production of insects. 



Every part of the work appears a natural consequence 

 of that which precedes it, so that chance has no share in 

 the admirable results witnessed. The bees cannot de- 

 part from their prescribed route, except in consequence 

 of particular circumstances which alter the basis of their 

 labour. The original mass of wax is never augmented 

 but by an uniform quantity; and what is most astonish- 

 ing, this augmentation is made by the wax-makers, who 

 are the depositaries of the primary matter, and possess 

 not the art of sculpturing the cells. 



The bees never beo-in two masses for combs at the 

 same time ; but scarcely are some rows of cells con- 

 structed in the first, when two other masses, one on 

 each side of it, are established at equal distances from 

 it and parallel to it, and then again two more exterior 

 to these. The combs are always enlarged and length- 

 ened in a progression proportioned to the priority of their 

 origin ; the middle comb being constantly advanced be- 

 yond the two adjoining ones by some rows of cells, and 

 they beyond those that are exterior to them. Was it 

 permitted to these insects to lay the foundation of all 

 their combs at the same time, they could not be placed 

 conveniently or parallel to each other. So with respect 

 to the cells, the first cavity determines the place of all 

 that succeed it. 



A large number of bees work at the same time on the 

 same comb ; but they are not moved to it by a simul- 

 taneous but by a successive impulse. A single bee be- 

 gins every partial operation, and many others in succes- 



