[B25]

May 28/58

[sketches]

Comb placed vertical section horizontal through the attached cells on both faces near their attachment.

Now if Bees begin to work at same level on both faces making spheres at distance 2e from each other & opposite spheres on other layer, & then towards surface of attachment produce planes of intersection till they touch it, we shall have what is represented above in horizontal & vertical sections; & it will explain whole shape of attached cells. But as Bees are working up, as soon as they begin on either side of comb to make a second row of cells, they will

[B25v]

find it impossible to make them at proper distance 2e from adjacent ones of opposite face, without [lowering] &c cutting short cells beneath these, ie the attached cell on this same face. Why not both begin interposing cells on both faces? As for their instinct tells them to work each sphere at 2e from 3 adjacent ones in other layer. Perhaps better explained by one cell at one face being commenced, as Huber says first

N.B one cannot conceive how Bees cd make or perceive whether correctly made all the wondrous angles; but one can perceive to certain extent, how they cd make equal spheres & form the planes of intersection by flat surfaces.