apis. 345 
the basal cavity. That the bees should have been thus 
•/ 
guided to elect a form which combines conjunctively the 
advantages of strength and capacity evidently proves that 
it is their instinct which guides them, which, being an 
afflation from the highest source, ensures the most com¬ 
plete perfection in its result. That it cannot be the 
effect of simultaneous lateral pressure is proved incon¬ 
testably by the whole superstructure resulting from the 
design of the base; and this is further corroborated by 
the base of one cell on one side forming invariably equal 
portions of the base of three cells on the opposite side, 
—all clearly the result of preconceived design impressed 
upon their sensorium. From this combination of forms 
results the security procured to the fragile tenement, 
which consists of the very smallest quantity of material 
that will cohere substantially, for the bees are exceed¬ 
ingly parsimonious of their wax, as if the production of 
it were attended wuth pain or inconvenience, and it is 
only upon the construction of the royal cells that a pro¬ 
fusion of this choice material is squandered. As soon 
as these cohorts of bees are in active operation, it is 
astonishing with what pertinacity and rapidity they 
labour, for within the space of four-and-twenty hours 
they will construct a cake a foot deep and six inches 
wide, containing within its double area some four 
thousand cells. Other cakes parallel to each side of the 
original are being at the same time carried forward with 
an interval between each sufficient for two bees to pass 
each other dos a dos, and further to promote the con¬ 
venience of traffic within the hive, and ready communica¬ 
tion to its several parts, passages are left through these 
f 
cakes from one to the other, so that the means of transit 
are opened, which of course saves much time. The queen 
