BEES. 219 



which lies between the claws is brought into ac- 

 tion. The bee can spread out or contract the pad at 

 will. On the lower surface of the pad are numbers 

 of tiny pores, through which a sticky secretion 

 oozes which just enables the foot to hold on lo a 

 smooth surface, without sticking to it. 



The legs are most curiously fitted up. The first 

 pair (Plate 26, Figs, i and 2) are furnished with 

 a comb and brushes. These can be seen with a 

 lens, and can be beautifully seen with the low power 

 of the microscope. The comb (Plate 26, Figs. 

 I and 2) is situated on the first tarsal 

 joint of the foot. It is semi-circular and 

 has a number of closely-fitting teeth. Over 

 this comb fits a little "door," called the 

 velum (Plate 26, Fig. i, b, c, and Fig. 2), which is 

 fastened to the tibia or shank. This comb is used 

 to clean the antennae. The antenna is placed in 

 the comb, the velum fits over and the antenna is 

 then drawn through. On the edge of the enlarged 

 tarsal joint which carries the comb is a set of stout 

 spines, and these form a brush to remove pollen, 

 etc., from the eyes. (Plate 26, Fig. 2, d.) Smaller 

 tufts of hairs occur on the legs, which brush off 

 finer particles, or grains left by the larger brushes. 

 On all the legs are specially long and branched 

 hairs called "gathering hairs," (which catch the 

 pollen. These are well developed on the thigh, 

 (Plate 26, Figs, i and 4). 



The middle legs carry a spur or spine on the tibia. 

 This is used to lever out the pollen when it is be- 



