Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/111

Rh cells contained in a comb, and the internal capacity of each. The same, or, if possible, still more admirable skill and arrangement are displayed in the basis of the cell. The three rhombuses of which it is composed, have the two obtuse angles each of 110 degrees, and, consequently, each of the two acute angles of 70 degrees. This measurement was taken by Maraldi, and it was verified by Koenig, a celebrated mathematician and pupil of Bernouilli, who, on being desired by Reaumur to calculate the quantity that should be given to this angle in order to employ the least wax possible in a cell of the same capacity, found that the angle in question ought to be 109° 26′ or 110° nearly, the very angle which the insect adopts. What a surprising agreement! A difficult mathematical problem is proposed for solution to a man of profound science, and it is found that an insect, "little among such as fly," instructed by the Fountain of Wisdom, has anticipated the calculations of the Geometer, and practically exhibited in its waxen structures the same conclusion precisely which the philosopher arrived at, only by the exercise of considerable ingenuity, and deep thought! The calculation has also been verified by our distinguished countryman Maclaurin, who very justly observes, that "the bees do truly construct their cells of the best figure, not only nearly, but with exactness, and that their proceedings could not have been more perfect from the greatest knowledge of geometry." After all, as Dr. Reid remarks, the geometry is not