. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. 534 CONSTRUCTION OF BEE S Fig. 269.—Larvje of Bee, na tural size, and magnified. to be no doubt, that Bees can elaborate it for themselves from the saccharine materials of their aliment (§. 155). The wax is sepa- rated in little scales, from between the segments of the abdomen; these scales are kneaded together by the mandibles of the Insect, and are then applied to the construction of the cells. It is easy to understand, that the hexagonal form is that which enables the cells to be best adapted to the purposes for w
. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. 534 CONSTRUCTION OF BEE S Fig. 269.—Larvje of Bee, na tural size, and magnified. to be no doubt, that Bees can elaborate it for themselves from the saccharine materials of their aliment (§. 155). The wax is sepa- rated in little scales, from between the segments of the abdomen; these scales are kneaded together by the mandibles of the Insect, and are then applied to the construction of the cells. It is easy to understand, that the hexagonal form is that which enables the cells to be best adapted to the purposes for which they are built, whilst the least amount of material is expended. As they are *~ intended, not only to contain a store of honey, but also to serve as the resi- dence for the Larvas and Pupae, it is evident that their form must approach near to that of the cylinder, in order that there may be the greatest eco- nomy of space ; but it is also evident that, if their walls were circular, a large quantity of material would be required, to fill up the in- terspaces left between them ; whilst, by giving the cells the hexagonal form, their walls everywhere have the same thickness, and their cavity is sufficiently well adapted to the forms of the larva and grub. 713. Every comb contains two sets of cells, one opening on each of its faces. The cells of one side are not exactly opposite, however, to those of the other ; for the middle of each cell abuts against the point, where the walls of three cells meet on the oppo- site side; and thus the partition that separates the cells of the opposite sides, is greatly strengthened. This partition is not flat, however, but consists of three planes, which meet each other at a particular angle, so as to make the centre of the cell its deepest part. Of the three planes which form the bottom of each fig. 271—Hkxagoxal CeIls, cell> one forms Part of tne bottom of each shotting the manner of union 0f the three cells, against which it abuts a
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