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 these 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. I have several
specimens showing clearly that they can do this. Even in the rude
circumferential rim or wall of wax round a growing comb, flexures may
sometimes be observed, corresponding in position to the planes of the
rhombic basal plates of future cells. But the rough wall of wax has in
every case to be finished off, by being largely gnawed away on both
sides. The manner in which the bees build is curious; they always make
the first rough wall from ten to twenty times thicker than the
excessively thin finished wall of the cell, which will ultimately be
left. We shall understand how they work, by supposing masons first to
pile up a broad ridge of cement, and then to begin cutting it away
equally on both sides near the ground, till a smooth, very thin wall
is left in the middle; the masons always piling up the cut-away
cement, and adding fresh cement, on the summit of the ridge.
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