90 



INSECT ARCHITPXTURE. 



instance of the division of laboiu' so strikingly exemplified 

 in every part of tlie economy of bees. 



It may not be out of place here to describe the apparatus 

 with which the worker-bees are provided for the purpose of 

 carrying the propolis as well as the pollen of flowers to the 

 hive, and which has just been alluded to in the observations 

 of Mr. Knight, The shin or middle portion of the hind 

 23air of legs is actually formed into a triangular basket, 

 admirably adapted to this design. The bottom of this 

 basket is composed of a smooth, shining, horn-like substance, 

 hollowed out in the substance of the limb, and surrounded 

 with a margin of strong and thickly-set biistles. ^Miatever 



structure of the legs of the Bee, for carrying projiolis ami pollen, magnified. 



materials, therefore, may be placed by the bee in the 

 interior of this basket, are secured from falling out by the 

 bristles around it, whose elasticity will even allow the load 

 to be heaped bej^ond their points without letting it fall. 



In the case of propolis, when the bee is loading her sin- 

 gular basket, she first kneads the piece she has detached 

 with her mandibles, till it becomes somewhat dry and less 

 adhesive, as otherwise it would stick to her limbs. This 

 , preliminary process sometimes occupies nearly half an hour. 

 She then passes it backwards by means of her feet to the 

 cavit}^ of her basket, giving it two or three pats to make it 

 adhere ; and when she adds a second portion to the first, 

 she often finds it necessary to pat it still hai dcr. AVhen she 



