102 THE HISTORY OF BEES. 
They are all hexagons, built on both fides of the comb, 
but a cell on one fide is not placed dire@ly againft a : 
cell upon the oppofite fide ; but the bafis ofa cell on this 
fide anfwers to three third parts of the hexagonal bafis of 
three contiguous cells on the other fide, meeting all in 
a right angle in the center of the oppofite bottom, which 
ferve both for elegance and fecurity, ftrength and beauty. 
' Thus they appear mafters of geometrical meafures and 
inventions: all the cells thro’ the hive are regular and 
perfect hexagons, and equilateral ; are {upports to each o- 
ther, and wifely and artificially contrived ; the wax be- 
ing diftended into the fineft and moft curious membrane 
poflible, which framing numerous cells moft clofely con- 
nected with one another, the wine fabrigh} is effectually 
{upported. 
It is furprizing to fee fo many thoufands of thefe in- 
Seats, merely by natural inftind, framing their combs 
with fo’great a curiofity, regularity and order. But a 
Ari and diligent view of one of thefe combs newly e- 
ge&ted, will enable the reader to form a more juft and 
sperfect idea thereof, than the fulleft defcription given of 
it by the pen. . 
Moreover, there is this advantage in it’s. figure, that 
there is not the leaft room loft; no vacuity or empty 
fpace thro’ all the hive. And fuch is the delicacy and 
finenefs of the compofure, that when the cells are filled 
with honey, they appear as one fingle and folid body. 
The fquare, together with the equilateral triangle, 
shave the like advantage; yet feem lefs capacious and 
extenfiye, this figure having a greater affinity with the 
fphero, The 
