THE BEE. 
319 
fond of honey, and hating labour, would intrude upon the 
sweets of the hive ; and the treasure would be carried off, 
for want of armed guardians to protect it. 
From examining the bee singly, we now come to consider 
it in society, as an animal not only subject to laws, but active, 
vigilant, laborious, and disinterested. All its provisions are 
laid up for the community ; and all its arts in building a cell, 
designed for the benefit of posterity. The substance with 
which bees build their cells is wax ; which is fashioned into 
convenient apartments for themselves and their young. When 
they begin to work in their hives, they divide themselves into 
four companies : one of which roves in the fields in search of 
materials; another employs itself in laying out the bottom 
and partitions of their cells ; a third is employed in making 
the inside smooth from the corners and angles ; and the fourth 
company brings food for the rest, or relieves those who return 
with their respective burdens. But they are not kept constant 
to one employment ; they often change the tasks assigned 
them; those that have been at work, being permitted to 
go abroad, and those that have been in the fields already, take 
their places. They seem even to have signs, by which they 
understand each other ; for when any of them wants food, 
it bends down its trunk to the bee from whom it is expected, 
which then opens its honey-bag, and lets some drops fall 
into the other’s mouth, which is at that time opened to 
receive it. Their diligence and labour is so great, that, 
in a day’s time, they are able to make cells, which lie upon 
each other, numerous enough to contain three thousand 
bees. 
If we examine their cells, they will be found formed in the 
exactest proportion. It was said by Pappus, an ancient geo- 
metrician, that, of all figures, hexagons w-ere the most conve- 
nient ; for, when placed touching each other, the most conve- 
nient room would be given, and the smallest lost, lhe cells 
of the bees are perfect hexagons : these in every honey-comb 
are double, opening on either side, and closed at the bottom. 
The bottoms are composed of little triangular panes, which, 
when united together, terminate in a point, and lie exactly 
upon the extremities of other panes of the same shape, in 
opposite cells. These lodgings have spaces, like streets, be- 
tween them, large enough to give the bees a free passage in 
and out; and yet narrow enough to preserve the necessary 
heat. The mouth ofevery cell is defended by a border, which 
makes the door a little less than the inside of the cell, which 
Serves to strengthen the whole. These cells serve foi dil- 
fereut purpi ses : for laying up their young ; for theii wax ; 
and for their honey, which makes their principal subsistence. 
