THE HONEY-BEE. 
107 
cells contained in a comb, and the internal capacity of 
each. The same, or, if possible, still more admirable 
skill and arrangement are displayed in the basis of the 
cell. The three rhombuses of which it is composed, 
have the two obtuse angles each of 110 degrees, and, 
consequently, each of the two acute angles of 70 de- 
grees. This measurement was taken by Maraldi, 
and it was verified by Koenig, a celebrated mathema- 
tician and pupil of Bemouilli, who, on being desired by- 
Reaumur to calculate the quantity that should be given 
to this angle in order to employ the least wax pos- 
sible in a cell of the same capacity, found that the 
angle in question ought to be 1 09° 26' or 1 10° nearly, 
the very angle which the insect adopts. What a sur- 
prising agreement ! A difficult mathematical pro- 
blem is proposed for solution to a man of pro- 
found science, and it is found that an insect, “ little 
among such as fly,” instructed by the Fountain of 
Wisdom, has anticipated the calculations of the 
Geometer, and practically exhibited in its waxen 
structures the same conclusion precisely which the 
philosopher arrived at, only by the exercise of con- 
siderable ingenuity, and deep thought ! The cal- 
culation has also been verified by our distinguished 
countryman Maclaurin, who very justly observes, 
that “ the bees do truly construct their cells of the 
best figure, not only nearly, but with exactness, and 
that their proceedings could not have been more 
perfect from the greatest knowledge of geometry." 
After all, as Dr. Reid remarks, the geometry is not 
