HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 279 
cells of the common shape upon the wood to which the combs are fixed, 
without pyramidal bottoms, and from: them continue their work as usual. 
These cells with a flat bottom, or rather with the wood for their bottom, 
are more irregular than the common ones ; some of their orifices are not 
angular, and their dimensions are not exact, but all are more or less hewa- 
gonal. Once when disturbed, Huber observed them to begin their combs 
on one of the vertical sides of the hive instead of on the roof. When par- 
ticular circumstances caused it, as, for instance, when glass was introduced, 
to which they do not like to fix their combs, he remarked that they con- 
stantly varied their direction ; and by repeating the attempt he forced them 
to form their combs in the most fantastic manner. Yet glass is an artificial 
substance, against which instinct merely cannot have provided them : there 
is nothing in {:ollow trees, their natural habitation, resembling it. When 
they change the direction of their combs, they enlarge the cells of one side 
to two or three times the diameter of those of the other, which gives the 
requisite curve. 
To complete the detail of these interesting discoveries of the elder 
Huber, I must lay before you the following additional observations of his 
son. 
The first base of the combs upon which the bees work holds three or 
four cells, sometimes more. The comb continues of the same width for 
three or four inches, and then begins to widen for three quarters of its 
length. The bees engaged at the bottom lengthen it downwards ; those on 
the sides widen it to right and left ; and those which are employed above 
the thickest part extend its dimensions upwards. The more a comb is 
enlarged below, the more it is necessary that it should be enlarged upwards 
to the top of the hive. ‘The bees that are engaged in lengthening the comb 
work with more celerity than those which increase its width; and those 
that. ascend or increase its width upwards, more slowly than the rest. 
Hence it arises that it is longer than wide, and narrower towards the top 
than towards the middle. ‘The first formed cells are usually not so deep 
as those in the middle ; but when the comb is of a certain height, they are 
in haste to lengthen these cells so essential to the solidity of the whole, 
sometimes even making them longer than the rest. The cells are not per- 
fectly horizontal; they are almost always a little higher towards their 
mouth than at their base, so that their axis is not perpendicular to the par- 
tition that separates the two assemblages. They sometimes vary from the 
horizontal line more than 20°, usually 4° or 5°. When the bees enlarge 
the diameter of the cells preparatory to the formation of male cells, the 
bottoms often consist of two rhomboids and two hexagons, the size and 
form of which vary, and they correspond with four instead of three oppo- 
site cells, The works of bees are symmetrical less perhaps in minute de- 
tails than considered. as a whole. ‘Sometimes, indeed, their combs have a 
fantastic form ; but this, if traced, will be found to be caused by circum- 
stances ; one irregularity occasions another, and both usually have their 
origin in the dispositions which we make them adopt. The inconstancy of 
climate, too, occasions frequent interruptions, and injures the symmetry of 
the combs; for a work resumed is always less perfect than one followed up 
Until completed. 
At first the substance of the cells is of a dead white, semi-transparent, 
Soft, and though even, not smooth; but in a few days it loses most of 
these qualities, or rather acquires new ones; a yellow tint spreads over the 
tT4 
