644 Origin of the Cells of the Hive Bee . [November, 
These investigators show that each cell represents a six- 
sided column, bounded at the middle plate of the comb by 
a three-sided pyramid ; the edges meeting at the deepest 
point of the cell form angles of 109° 28' ; other angles of 
the same magnitude are enclosed by the short side of the 
hexagonal column and the two adjacent sides of the rhombs. 
In the terminal points of the long sides of the prism there 
meet, therefore, four edges at angles of 70° 32'. The ar- 
rangement of the wax plates which compose the entire comb 
may therefore be formulated as follows : — 1. On one edge 
there intersect each other each time three films, and these 
form with each other equal angles of 120°. 2. At the ter- 
minal points of the short sides of the prism meet in each 
case four edges at angles of 109° 28'. 3. In the terminal 
points of the long sides of the prism four edges cut each 
other at 70° 32'. 
These properties correspond almost exactly with the laws 
which Plateau has discovered for his equilibrium figures,— 
namely, at a liquid edge there intersect each other never 
more than three films, and these form with each other equal 
angles, and when liquid edges intersect each other in the 
interior of the figure they are always four in number, and 
form with each other equal angles. 
Cells of exactly the same arrangement and the same 
angles as the cells of bees are obtained if numerous soap- 
bubbles of equal size are suspended in two parallel frames, 
and if the two systems of bubbles are approached until they 
touch each other. The soap-bubbles flatten themselves and 
form hexagonal prisms, terminating in Maraldi’s pyramids, 
at the meeting-points of the two systems. The uppermost 
row of bubbles (that attached to the frame) would take the 
form of five-sided pyramids, — i.e. f the exaCt form of the 
cells which are attached to the woodwork. 
The conclusion is, therefore, very natural that this abso- 
lute agreement in the respective forms of the soap-bubbles 
and of the bees’ cells depends on similar physical conditions 
in the construction of both. 
If we observe the bees when building their comb, we find 
that, underneath the board to which it is attached, at least 
a dozen bees are clinging on each side, in such a manner 
that the heads of the bees on one side of the comb are 
exactly opposite to those on the other. As each bee, holding 
a ball of wax in its jaws, presses as far as possible upwards 
and forwards, the ball is converted into a plate by the 
pressure from both sides. At first this plate is not level, 
but is bent up and down corresponding to the pressure of 
the numerous heads of the bees, 
