Curiosities & wonders > New observations on the natural history of bees

ARCHITECTURE OF BEES. 395
imalies. These insects are obliged to adapt
themselves to localities: one irregularity
produces another, and it usually originates
in the arrangements which we make them
adopt. The inconstancy of the temperature
of the atmosphere affects the symmetry of
the combs, from frequently interrupting the
operations of those bees entrusted with their
construction. We have remarked, that less
perfection is offered by a work resumed, than
one of uninterrupted labour.
On allowing too little interval between
the spars for receiving the foundation of
the combs, the work has assumed a particu¬
lar direction. At first the bees did not seem
sensible of the defect; but very soon they
appeared to suspect their error, and gra¬
dually changing the line of the work,
they gained the customary distances. This
having given the comb a recurvature, new
ones commenced opposite to its middle ne¬
cessarily had the like deformity, which was
imparted to all the others successively.
Meantime, however, the bees endeavoured
as much as possible to bring them back to
the regular form. Often a comb is convex
above; farther down the defect is rectified,