66 
THE HONEY-MAKERS. 
usual. Tlius the cells were rendered deeper, 
and the evil remedied. Could man’s reason 
have dictated a wiser course ? 
The comb is fastened to the hive by its edges, 
or the outer double row of cells. The cells of 
this first row have only five sides instead of 
six, the roof forming one. This arrangement 
is sufficient for some time ; but at length, as the 
store of honey increases to the weight of sev- 
eral pounds, the architecture is too frail ; to sus- 
tain it, stronger material is needed and more 
solid supports. The bees do not hesitate. No 
human artisans understand better how to remove 
or repair old buildings than these sagacious in- 
sects. They gnaw away the sides of these cells, 
and build thick, massy walls and heavy pillars 
between the comb and the top of the hive. 
They do not however disturb the bottom of 
these cells, nor remove both sides at once. 
Working first upon one side and then upon an- 
other, they replace the demolished portions, as 
they proceed, with their strong cement. 
It appears that bees can even alter the form 
of their cells when required by circumstances. 
