On Wed, 2 Oct 2002, Barry Birkey wrote:

> To help with clarification, I made a graphic of this first sequence:
> http://www.beesource.com/pov/lusby/housel.htm
>
> The "center" wild comb would have a mirrored orientation on both sides.
>

As I understood it, the reason why the "Y" formation alternated between up
on one side and down on the other, both in natural comb and in
manufactured foundation, was that this was the minimum-wax-use
configuration (the raised portion of the embossed pattern on one side,
corresponds to the depressed portion of the embossed pattern on the other
side).

In order to have the same orientation on both sides of the center
"wild" comb, it seems to me that the center comb would have a
noticeably thicker midrib.

My question is, has anyone other than Housel actually seen one of
these special center combs?  Maybe I missed it in the discussion,
but I don't remember anyone saying that they either had an example,
or remembered seeing it before.

If this special center comb actually exists, then it seems to me
that it would be a strong indication that there is *something* to
Housel positioning.  Can we confirm that the bees actually build
the special center comb?

--
Tim Eisele
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