418 



HABITATIONS Or INSECTS. 



lengthen it, it begins to lose this form, and to assume 

 parallel surfaces : it has then received the shape which it will 

 always preserve. 



The bees appear to give the proper forms to the bottoms 

 of the cells by means of their antennae, which extraordinary 

 organs they seem to employ as directors by which their other 

 instruments are instructed to execute a very complex work. 

 They do not remove a single particle of wax until the 

 antennae have explored the surface that is to be sculptured. 

 By the use of these organs, which are so flexible and so 

 readily applied to all parts, however delicate, that they can 

 perform the functions of compasses in measuring very minute 

 objects, 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 ad- 

 mirable results witnessed. The bees cannot depart from their 

 prescribed route, except in consequence of particular circum- 

 stances which alter the basis of their labour. The original 

 mass of wax is never augmented but by an uniform quantity ; 

 and what is most astonishing, 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 begin two masses for combs at the same 

 time ; but scarcely are some rows of cells constructed 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 lengthened in a progression proportioned to the 

 priority of their origin ; the middle comb being constantly 

 advanced beyond 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 simultaneous 



