472 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
tance is exactly compensated by their greater energy ; 
therefore, it is as demonstrable"^ as Euclid’s proposi- 
tions that the honey will be equally thrown out all 
over the face of the comb, if this only stand perpen- 
dicularly, whatever the radius-distance may be, but 
that the tendency to lupture will increase as the dis- 
tance is decreased. Calculation and experience alike 
point to a radius-distance of about bin., for the centre 
of combs of standard size, as giving the best results 
for the energy expended. 
From what has been said, the error of giving 
the cage a taper form is evident. Here the cells 
at the lower part of the cage are practically in a 
small machine, and at the upper in a larger; demand- 
ing the impossible condition that more rotations be 
made below than above. It follows, therefore, that, to 
extract at the lower part of the cage, excessive strain 
must be put upon the comb at the upper. The taper 
form has no excuse, except the fancy that the combs 
lean safely against the cage while preparation is made 
for rotation ; but since the cells have been uncapped, 
the whole adheres quite sufficiently when brought up 
against a perpendicular wire cloth ; and, indeed, this 
close bringing up of the comb is most important, or 
else, when the handle is turned, the comb will ‘Hiug ” 
the netting, and possibly drag itself from the frame 
in doing so. 
* Diverging lines from the centre (c), meeting a comb, measure the 
radius-distance of its several parts, and so, in accordance with the 
principles already given, rej^resent the centrifugal force of each part 
in direction and magnitude. Resolving these lines into two components 
— one at right angles to the cell sides, tending to split the comb, and 
the other in the direction of the cells, tending to throw out the honey 
— we find the latter all exactly equal, , proving that the extracting 
energy is alike throughout the face of the comb. 
