>From the experiment of the ridge of vermilion wax we can see that, if the
bees were to build for themselves a thin wall of wax, they could make their
cells of the proper shape, by standing at the proper distance from each
other, by excavating at the same rate, and by endeavouring to make equal
spherical hollows, but never allowing the spheres to break into each other.
Now bees, as may be clearly seen by examining the edge of a growing comb,
do make a rough, circumferential wall or rim all round the comb; and they
gnaw this away from the opposite sides, always working circularly as they
deepen each cell. They do not make the whole three-sided pyramidal base of
any one cell at the same time, but only that one rhombic plate which stands
on the extreme growing margin, or the two plates, as the case may be; and
they never complete the upper edges of the rhombic plates, until the
hexagonal walls are commenced. Some of these statements differ from those
made by the justly celebrated elder Huber, but I am convinced of their
accuracy; and if I had space, I could show that they are conformable with
my theory.
Huber's statement, that the very first cell is excavated out of a little
parallel-sided wall of wax, is not, as far as I have seen, strictly
correct; the first commencement having always been a little hood of wax;
but I will not here enter on details. We see how important a part
excavation plays in the construction of the cells; but it would be a great
error to suppose that the bees cannot build up a rough wall of wax in the
proper position--that is, along the plane of intersection between two
adjoining spheres.
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