"STATURAL HISTORY. 
53 
of possessing poisonous properties^ but it has this 
character perhaps from the bald manner in which 
it attacks, coming almost erect, and apparently fear- 
less, to encounter its adversary. 
But what shall we say of the marvellous works 
of insects, which so strikingly shew contrivance and 
design. Take for example the history of bees, and 
attend a moment to what occurs in the fitting up 
of their cells, in the hive. " If" says the enlightened 
author of the Treatise on the Objects, Advantages, 
and Pleasures of Science, you have a certain place, 
as a room, to fill up with closets, or little cells, 
all of the same size and shape, there are only three 
figures which will answer, and enable you to fill the 
room without leaving any space between the cells ; 
they must either be squares or figures of three equal 
sides, or figures of six equal sides. With any other 
figures whatever, space would be lost between the 
cells. This is evident from considering the matter ; 
and it is proved by mathematical reasoning. The 
six-sided figure is by far the most convenient of these 
three shapes, because its corners are flatter, and any 
round body placed in it has therefore more space, 
|f less room being lost in the corners. This figure too 
is the strongest of the three ; any pressure from 
without or from within will hurt it least, as it has 
something of the strength of an arch. A round 
figure would be still stronger but then room would 
m be lost between the circles, whereas with the six- 
P sided figure none is lost. Now it is a most remarka- 
ble fact that bees build their cells exactly in this 
