With regard to this particular question of comb-building, an attempt is still being made to show that it is entirely due to the working of certain natural laws, and is independent of any intelligence or volition which the bees are supposed to exercise. We are told that the cells are always begun in a circular form, but that they afterwards assume the hexagon shape quite automatically, in obedience to the laws of mutual interference and pressure. As a proof of this, it is pointed out that the outside cells of the comb, not being subject to these laws, are usually more or less rounded. The pressure-theory is hardly worth serious consideration, as it is obvious that the growth of a honey-comb is perfectly free and untrammelled in every way. If the bee makes her comb-cells with six sides and a pyramidal base unthinkingly, and under the yoke of imperious obligation, it is certainly not because the cells force this shape upon one another, like Buffon’s peas in a bottle. And if we believe that the bee works blindly under the law of mutual interference, any close examination of the results of her work must bring us to the conviction that we are only putting aside one marvel for something more wonderful still. For then we see a natural law taking on a very unnatural quality—that of intelligent adaptation to circumstances. The comb, intended for use in the hive-nursery, is made in two sizes. That used for cradling the worker-brood has cells measuring ⅕ inch across, and a fraction less than ½ inch deep, while that designed for raising the drone-larva is built up of cells having a diameter of ¼ inch, and a depth of about ⅝ inch. These different-sized cells are not mingled indiscriminately over the comb, but are grouped together in large blocks. Some of the combs will be entirely composed of worker-cells, which are always in the vast majority; other combs will be made up of both kinds. The bees begin a comb by attaching a small block of wax to the roof of the hive. On either side of this they hollow out depressions, which become the bases of the first cells. The work is then extended downwards and sideways, the cell-bases being multiplied in all directions as fast as possible, so that there are a great number of unfinished cells in progress long before the walls of the first cells have been completed. There is a very reasonable motive for this procedure. When a house is being built, as much of the foundations as possible are laid in at the commencement, to allow a large body of bricklayers to get to work on the walls at the same time; and the bee extends her comb-foundations on the same principle.