Mr. Hunter's Observations on Bees. 149 
degree larger than the others; and that the small are the 
first formed, and of course at the upper part, where the bees 
begin, and the larger are nearer the lower part of the 
comb, or last made : however, in hives of particular construc- 
tion, where the bees may begin to work at one end, and can 
work both down, and towards the other end, we often find the 
larger cells both on the lower part of the combs, and also at the 
opposite end. These are formed for the males to be bred in ; 
and in the hornets and wasps combs, there are larger cells for 
the queens to be bred in : these are also formed in the lower 
tier, and the last formed. 
The first comb made in a hive, is all of one colour, viz. al- 
most white ; but it is not so white towards the end of the season, 
having then more of a yellow cast. 
Of the Royal Cell. 
There is a cell, which is called the Royal Cell, often three or 
four of them, sometimes more; I have seen eleven, and even 
thirteen in the same hive ; commonly they are placed on the 
edge of one or more of the combs, but often on the side of a 
comb ; however, not in the centre, along with the other cells, 
like a large one placed among the others, but often against 
the mouths of the cells, and projecting out beyond the com- 
mon surface of the comb ; but most of them are formed from the 
edge of the comb, which terminates in one of these cells. The 
royal cell is much wider than the others, but seldom so deep ; 
its mouth is round, and appears to be the largest half of an oval 
in depth, and is declining downwards, instead of being hori- 
zontal, or lateral. The materials of which it is composed arc- 
