The combs of a bee-hive are parallel to each other, forming vertical strata of about an inch in thickness, and distant about half an inch from each other. The cells are therefore nearly horizontal, having a slight and somewhat variable dip towards the cen ter of each comb. The central comb is generally first begin), and next after it those next to it on each side. Circumstances frequently cause some departure front this uni form and symmetrical plan, which, however, still remains obvious. Each comb con sists of two sets of cells. one on each side; and it may be mentioned as an illustration of the wonderful industry of bees, and the results of their combined labors, that a piece of comb, 14 in. long by 7 in. wide, and containing about 4000 cells, has been frequently constructed in 24 hours. The greater part of the coin]) usually consists of the kind of cells fitted for breeding workers, a smaller part of it of the larger or drone cells. after the principal breeding-season is over, the cells of some parts of the comb are often elongated for the reception of honey; and sometimes comb of greater thickness, or with unusually long cells, is constructed for that purpose alone, in which case the months of the cells are inclined upwards, more than is usual with the ordinary brood-cells. When a cell has been completely filled with honey, its mouth is sealed or covered with wax.
It is impossible to look at n piece of comb taken from a bee-hive, without admiring., not only its, beauty, hut the perfect regularity of the size, form. and arrangement of the cells; and the more carefully that it Is examined, the more must it be admired. For in it are practically solved, by an instinct which can only be referred to the infinite wisdom of the Creator, some problems difficult to human science. particularly in the combina tion of the greatest economy of materials and of space, with the most perfect convenience and the greatest strength. It appears even at a glance, that the cells are hexagonal or six-sided, the hexagons perfectly regular, and in this way there are no interstices between the cells. Now, the mathematician knows that there are only three regular figures, that is, figures of which all the sides and angleS are equal, bounded by straight lines,, with which a space can be perfectly filled up in this way—the equilateral triangle, the square. and the hexagon; and of these.the hexagon is at once the most suitable for the larva of the B. in its form, and the strongest in 'its nearest approach to the circle. The circular form itself would have left large interstices. But this is not all: the same wisdom which has given the solitary bees, already noticed, their instinct to surround their nest with a cottony substance, which serves as a non-conductor of heat, has directed the hive B. to the constant adoption of a mode of constructing its combs, which adds greatly to the strength they would have possessed with the same amount of materials, if the cells bad been merely regular hexagonal prisms, and the partition in the middle of the comb, between the cells of the one side of it, and those of the other, therefore a simple plane. It is so far from being so, that when carefully examined, it appears, if the expression may be used, the most ingenious part of the whole structure. It is composed of a
multitude of little rhombs, or four-sided figures, with equal and parallel sides, and two obtuse and two acute angles, the obtuse angles being invariably angles of 109° 2S', and the acute angles of IV 32', agreeing precisely with the results of mathematical analysis, applied to the difficult question of the form of the facets of a three-sided pyramid, which should terminate a six-sided prism, so as to combine the gredtest economy of materials with the greatest strength. On looking at a piece of empty honey-comb, placed between the eye and the light, we readily perceive that the cells are not opposite to each other, cell to cell; but that the point of meeting of three sides of three cells, on one side, is opposite to the center of a cell on the other side—a circumstance which of itself we cannot but regard as calculated greatly to increase the strength of the whole fabric. It follows also from this, that the terminating pyramids of the cells on the one side do not interfere with the form of the cells on the other side, but the three rhombic facets, which terminate each cell, belong likewise to three distinct cells on the opposite side of the comb.
The only departure from perfect regularity in the form of the cells, is in the transi tion from the smaller or workers' cells to the larger or drones' cells, which, when it takes place, is managed with great simplicity and beauty of contrivance. Our limits, however, do not permit us to enter further into this subject.
The material of which the cells arc built is chiefly wax (q.v., and see BE Es-Wax), which is at first of a white color, but becomes brownish-yellow with and in very old combs, almost black. Although wax exists as a vegetable product, yet bees-wax is now known to be produced by a chemistry which is carried on in the bodies of bees, and it has been found that they produce wax and build combs when supplied only with honey or saccharine substances. The wax-pockets in the abdomen of working-bees have been already referred to. The bees which are about to proceed to wax-making, suspend themselves In clusters in the hive, attaching themselves to each other by means of hooks with which their feet are provided; and whilst they remain motionless in this position, the wax appears to be formed, in small scales, which they afterwards take in their mouths and curiously work up with a secretion from the mouth itself, passing the wax, in the form of a minute riband, through the mouth, first in one direction and then in the opposite one, and finally depositing it in its proper place for the foundation of the comb. One B. always begins the comb alone, the rest, in gradually increasing numbers, proceed in accordance with what has been already done. The bees which elaborate and deposit the wax, do not, however, construct the cells, which is done by others, partly at least by a process of excavation in the wax deposited. It is supposed by many natural ists, that some of the working-bees are exclusively wax-workers, some nurses, etc.; but others think that there is only one class of working-bees, all ready for any kind of work according to circumstances.