to lay the foundations of two others, one on each side of that already founded, continuing their operations in this manner, till they have taken in the whole range of their building ground; and, with such diligence do they ply their labours, that in one day, during the height of the honey-season, they will construct no fewer than 4000 cells. A comb measures in thickness, generally speaking, one inch, and the interval between them is about one third of an inch, affording a passage for two bees, back to back, without obstruction or inconvenience. These dimensions, however, are varied according to circumstances. Towards the top of the hive, (Pl. VI. fig. 1, a, a,) where the honey magazines are situated, the cells are deepened, consequently the thickness of the comb is increased, and the road-way contracted. This is no inconvenience to the bees, for, after the honey-cells are sealed, they have seldom occasion to visit that quarter of the hive, and can, therefore, put up with less room.
When the breeding season returns, however, these cells are all reduced to their original size, if emptied of their contents, and thus fitted for the reception of brood. The combs, attached as they are to the roof of the hive, descend vertically. Unlike human builders, they begin their work at the top or ceiling, and suspend their structures from above. This is their usual mode of proceeding, but circumstances induce them sometimes to vary it. The following is an instance from our personal observation: We put a swarm into our experimental hive, which is so thin, as to admit of one comb only being constructed.
