THE HONEY-BEE. 
109 
circumstances demand the construction of enlarged 
cells, and after building 30 or 40 rows of them, to 
return to the proper proportions from which they 
have departed, by successive reductions. Both of 
these kinds of cells being nearly horizontal, it may 
seem surprising that they can he filled with, and re- 
tain, the honey-fluid. The fact 'is, however, that 
they are not horizontal, but are elevated at an angle 
of never less than 5°, and sometimes when the honey 
is rendered peculiarly thin and fluid by the warmth 
of the season, at not less than from 15° to 20° above 
the level of the horizon. We have often observed 
in the months of July and August, when the weather 
was very favourable for the secretion of honey and 
wax, the bees eagerly engaged in forming cells de- 
signed for honey only, and differing considerably 
from those which are intended in the first instance 
for the reception of eggs. The texture of the former 
is thinner, and their depth raueli greater ; and as the 
honey is at this period of the year of a rarer and 
more fluid quality, these cells are by a wise instinct 
made with a much greater dip or inclination than 
the ordinary ones, that there may be less risk of the 
liquid running out before they are sealed. Doubtless, 
also, the honey is prevented from escaping, partly 
by its own viscosity, and partly by the force of capil- 
lary attraction. For if we carefully examine a cell 
when nearly full, it will be observed that the sur- 
face of the fluid is considerably concave, from its ad- 
hesion to the sides of the cell. It will also bo ob- 
served how ingeniously the bees seal up their trea- 
