is applied by the architect-bee to the roof or
bottom of the hive, as the case may be ; and thus
a block is raised of a semi-lenticular shape, thick
at top and tapering towards the edges. When of
sufficient size, a cell is sculptured on one side of
it, by the wax-working bees, who relieve one
another in succession, sometimes to the number
of twenty, before the cell is completely fashioned.
At the back and on each side of this first cell,
two others are sketched out and excavated. By
this proceeding the foundations of two cells are
laid, the line betwixt them corresponding with
the centre of the opposite cell. As the comb
extends, the first excavations are rendered deeper
and broader; and when a pyramidal base is finish-
ed, the bees build up walls from its edges, so as to
complete, what may be called, the prismatic par
of the cell. Every succeeding row of cells is
formed by precisely similar steps, until there is
sufficient scope for the simultaneous employment
of
many workers.

"These, with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth,
Pare each excrescence, and each angle smooth,
Till now, in finish'd pride, two radiant rows,
Of snow-white cells, one mutual base disclose.
Six shining pannels gird each polish'd round,
The door's fine rim, with waxen fillet bound,
While walls so thin, with sister walls combin'd,
Weak in themselves, a sure dependence find."

EVANS.

The pyramidal bases and lateral plates are

successively formed, with surprising rapidity: the latter are lengthened as the comb proceeds, for the original semi-lenticular form is preserved till towards the last, when if the hive or box be filled, the sides of all the cells receive such additions as give them equal depth.

The cells intended for the drones are considerably larger, and more substantial, than those for the working bees, and, being later formed, usually appear near the bottom of the combs. Last of all are built the royal cells, the cradles of the infant queens of these there are usually three or four, and sometimes ten or twelve, in a hive, attached commonly to the central part, but not unfrequently to the edge or side of the comb. MR. HUNTER says that he has seen as many as thirteen royal cells in a hive, and that they have very little wax in their composition, not one-third, the rest he conceives to be farina. Such is the genuine loyalty of bees, that the wax which they employ with so much geometric œconomy, in the construction of hexagonal cells, is profusely expended on the mansions of the royal bee-nymph, one of these exceeding in weight a hundred of the former. They are not interwoven with them, but suspended perpendicularly, their sides being nearly parallel to the mouths of the common cells, several of which are sacrificed to support them. "No more with wary thriftiness imprest,

They grace with lavish pomp their royal guest,

Nor heed the wasted wax, nor rifted cell,

To bid, with fretted round, th' imperial palace swell."
EVANS.

The form of these royal cells is an oblong spheroid, tapering gradually downwards, and having the exterior full of holes, somewhat resembling the rustic work of stone buildings. The mouth of the cell, which is always at its bottom, remains open till the maggot is ready for transformation, and is then closed as the others are.

Immediately on the emergence of a ripened queen, the lodge which she inhabited is destroyed, and its place is supplied by a range of common cells. The site of this range may always be traced, by that part of the comb being thicker than the rest, and forming a kind of knot; sometimes the upper portion of the cell itself remains, like an inverted acorn-cup, suspended by its short peduncle.

"Yet no fond dupes to slavish zeal resign'd,

They link with industry the loyal mind.

Flown is each vagrant chief? They raze the dome,

That bent oppressive o'er the fetter'd comb,

And on its knotted base fresh garners raise,

Where toil secure her well-earn'd treasure lays."

EVANS.

In this mutilated state only, and not in the breeding season, could Mr. Hunter have seen this cradle of royalty; for he describes it as the half of an oval, too wide and shallow to receive its

supposed tenant.

The following sketch affords

a representation of the hexagonal cells of a comb, and also the attachment of the royal cradles.

I have spoken of the perfect regularity in the cell-work of a honey-comb ;-particular circumstances, however, induce a departure from this exactness for instance, where bees have commenced a comb with small cell-work, and afterwards wish to attach to it a set of large cells, as in the case of drone-cells being required to be appended to workers-cells. These deviations from the usual regularity renew our admiration of bee-ingenuity, though Reaumur and Bonnet have regarded them as examples of imperfection. They effect their object by interposing three or four series of, what may be called, cells of transi

tion, the bottoms or bases of which are composed of two rhombs and two hexagons, instead of three rhombs; the rhombs and hexagons gradually varying in form and relative proportion, till the requisite size, namely that of the cells which they are approaching, has been attained. The following outlines will serve to convey to the reader the regular steps in this progressive increase.

The same gradation is observed when returning to smaller cells. Every apparent irregularity is therefore determined by a sufficient motive, and forms no impeachment of the sagacity of the bee.

The common breeding-cells of drones or workers are, occasionally, (after being cleaned,) made the depositories of honey; but the cells are never made so clean, as to preserve the honey undeteriorated.