They then proceed to form their cells, which we call honey-comb. These are built in hexagons, or six-sided figures; and mathematicians tell us that this form is the very best, as it unites the greatest strength with the greatest capacity. The philosophers found out this fact by deep study――but who told the little bees of it? They never went to college to learn mathematics. How then should they always build their cells in hexagons? This was one of the questions put by Jack to his aunt Piper, and she answered it as follows. Bees are provided with wonderful knowledge, which we call instinct. It is born with them, and as soon as they go to work, they proceed according to this instinct. This is a part of their nature, and it is given to them by God who made them. He knows everything――he knows that a hexagon is the best form for the bees to build their cells in, and so he furnished them with an instinct, which leads them to follow this method of building. Is it not interesting to see the Almighty God thus displaying his knowledge and skill, for the benefit of even the little bees? I have more to tell you on this subject, but I must defer it for another chapter. [Illustration] The Race. Here are two boys running a race. They seem to be striving to see which can run the swiftest; which can outstrip the other. It is pleasant to run a race, if one is young and has a good pair of legs. I should make a bad business of it,――old and decrepit as I am,――and having a timber toe beside. Still, I can well recollect how I used to delight in trying my speed with my youthful companions, when I was a boy. I remember very well, that, when I was young, there was a boy at school by the name of Rufus, and it chanced that he and myself were rivals in almost everything. We were always striving to see which should run the swiftest; which should hop the farthest; which should excel in writing, arithmetic, &c. Now all this was very well, except one thing. Our rivalry at last went so far, that we desired victory more than anything else. We did not wish so much to do things well, as to triumph over our competitors. Nor was this all: we began at length to dislike each other, and a very bad feeling was therefore begotten by our strife, in our bosoms. This was certainly wrong, and young people as well as old people should be careful never to indulge in any strife which leads to hatred. We should love all around us, for love is the chief source of happiness. Anything which interferes with this is wrong. [Illustration] The Swing. Here are children indulging themselves in swinging. ’Tis a very pleasant amusement, and is as near to flying as anything we can do. What a thrill passes through the heart, half pleasant and half painful, when we go up, up, up――and then down, down, down!