36 BRITISH BEES. 



portion swells considerably, and the two edges separate 

 more widely from each other. The under side of the 

 tongue, which was before flat, rises and swells conside- 

 rably, and all that thus rises up is evidently membra- 

 nous. It looks like a long vessel of the most transparent 

 material. But whilst this great increase of bulk is made 

 upon the lower surface, the upper surface swells only a 

 little, which seems to prove that its immediate envelope 

 is not capable of much distension. 



If a bee be observed whilst sipping any sweet liquor, 

 the anterior portion of its trunk will be sometimes seen 

 more swollen than when in action, and alternations will 

 be observed in it of varying expansion. 



The posterior portion of the trunk is a great deal 

 larger than the anterior, and it is only in repose that 

 the former nearly equals the latter in length. This 

 posterior portion (this is the portion treated above as 

 the labium, or under lip) is joined to the anterior by a 

 very short ligature, wholly fleshy, and very flexible, 

 which permits the folding of the trunk, and then its 

 under side is quite scaly, very shiny, and rounded (the 

 maxillae) . This portion is apparently more substantial 

 than the rest. Its diameter gradually increases as it 

 recedes from about the middle to about two-thirds of 

 its length ; there it is a little constricted, and the first 

 of the two pieces of which it is composed there termi- 

 nates. The first piece is rounded, for the purpose, it 

 would appear, of fitting itself upon another, which 

 serves as its base and pivot. This base is conical and 

 of a scaly texture, and terminates in rather an acute 

 point. It is this point which is articulated at the junc- 

 tion of the two small elongate portions of which we 

 spoke at the commencement, and which carry the trunk 

 forward. 



