MEXICAN BEES. 
615 
the cell with its hinder parts directed towards the mouth of the cell, which is 
covered by a granular mass, probably composed of the pollen of plants. The 
form of the cells is hexangular, but the angles are not sharply defined, and the 
mouth is scarcely, if at all, thicker than the sides. In their dimensions and 
relative proportions they differ materially from those of the European, and still 
more from those of the Indian bees, as may be seen by the subjoined table : 
Mexican. European. Indian. 
Diameter of cell . 2 ^ 2|- .3-^ 1-^ . 21- 
Depth of ditto . 4 5.6 4-3.6 
All of those which are visible appear to be uniform in size; nor without the 
destruction of the specimen can it be ascertained whether there are any larger cells 
for the larvae of the males or of the queen. 
The combs are placed together at some distance from the opening of the hive, 
and form a group of an oval shape, consisting of five horizontal and parallel layers, 
occupying the part most remote from the opening ; of an interrupted vertical 
layer applied to the side opposed to the opening ; and of two principal, and two 
or three smaller, vertical layers in the middle. The whole of these are supported 
by wax, spread out into layers borne on processes of the same material, resting either 
on the wood of the cavity, or on other parts of the fabric of the comb. In these 
processes and layers of wax are numerous openings of various sizes, at once 
admitting of ready access for the inhabitants to every part of the hive, and econo- 
mizing the use of the material of which they are constructed. Some of the 
openings are of large dimensions. The entrance into the hive is continued into 
a long gallery, which, to judge from the direction taken by a flexible substance 
introduced into it, leads beneath the combs to their very extremity. It is there- 
fore probable that at the extremity the work of building commenced. 
Surrounding the combs are several layers of wax, as thin as paper, irregular 
in their form, and placed at some little distance from each other, the interstices 
varying from a quarter to half an inch. One of these supports a vertical comb ; 
the others are connected to the combs only at theii edges, or by piocesses or 
layers of wax. Externally to these are placed the sacs for containing honey, 
which are generally large, and rounded in form. They vary in size, some of 
them exceeding an inch and a half in diameter. They are supported by pro- 
cesses of wax from the wood of the cavity, or from each other, and are frequently 
applied side by side, so as mutually to afford strength to each other, and to allow 
of one side serving equally for two sacs. Their disposition is altogether irregular, 
and bears some resemblance to that of a portion of a bunch of grapes, rendering it 
probable that Nieremberg was acquainted with a similar nest, if not actually that 
