ARTIFICIAL AIDS TO COMB-BUILDING. 
179 
of exact workmanship were made about I2in. bv yin., 
and it is clear that, if a thin sheet of wax could be 
sufficiently pressed between them, it would receive the 
absolute figure given by bees to their midrib ; in 
other words, it would resemble comb with the cell 
walls removed. 
Let us now devote our attention to the manner in 
which these wax sheets were, and are, prepared, for 
they now form the base upon which our modern 
foundation is manufactured. 
The first need is a dipping-vessel necessarily some- 
Fig. 47.— Portion of a Type-metal Plate— (. e., Form of Come Midrir 
(F ive cells to the inch). 
what greater in depth and width than the sheets to 
be made, and this should be fitted into a second, 
containing water, so that burning the wax is impos- 
sible, as by no carelessness can it then be raised 
above 2i2deg. Fahr. Some prefer the dipping-can to 
carry a perpendicular diaphragm of perforated metal, 
on one side of which is added, from time to time, 
fresh wax, to keep up the quantity. The wax needs 
only to be a little above its melting point (i 5 odeg.). 
Dipping-boards are prepared of seasoned, knotless 
