ARTIFICIAL AIDS TO COMB-BUILDING. 
187 
tions just now referred to have mainly applied to 
the particular cut of the rolls, modifying somewhat 
the form of surface given to each cell base. Amongst 
a considerable number of distinct makes, one or two 
only need be mentioned. 
The Van Deuzen mill produces what is known as 
flat-bottomed foundation, in which the rhomboidal 
bases are dispensed with altogether ; cell walls alone 
being engraved on the rolls. This mill is usually 
made to turn out thin white wax foundation for 
sections, which has great beauty of finish, but is 
thought to be not quite so acceptable to the bees 
as the more common pattern. An interesting and 
ingenious variation in the form of the rolls has been 
originated by Mr. Pelham. A reference to the accom- 
panying figures will enable us to understand his 
system. Wax sheets, of course, run through these 
machines, not from above downwards, but in the 
direction of their length. If we cut a piece of 
foundation (A, Fig. 51) into strips (which would be 
horizontal as the foundation hangs in a frame), 
taking care that the cut passes through the centre of 
each alternate line of cells, we obtain strips precisely 
like to each other ; and although the right and left 
{r and /, A, Fig. 51) edges of each strip are dis- 
similar, still the right or the left edge of any strip is 
like to the corresponding edge of every other. If, 
therefore, we could multiply any one of these strips, 
and place the results side by side, we should make 
up the form of a complete midrib. Modelling a 
matrix for one of these strips on the edge of a ring 
{ri, B), taking care that the pattern returns into itself, 
