INSECTA. 351 
many sexless individuals whose business it is to construct the nest, 
and to feed the larve uninterruptedly’. 
Phalanx I. Apiarie. Median division of ligula filiform or 
setaceous, of the same length as mentum, or longer than mentum, 
inflected downwards, with the maxilla, quite from the insertion of 
the maxillary palps. Two joints of labial palps mostly conjoined, 
forming a compressed horny seta or lateral lacinia of the ligula; 
two succeeding joints very small, set laterally upon the acuminate 
apex of former. ‘Two short paraglosse at the base of ligula. 
The proboscis of the bee has been investigated by SwAMMERDAM 
(yb. d. Nat. bl. 445—451), Réaumur (ns. v. 6iéme Mémoire, 
pp. 304— 326), G. R. Treviranus (Verm. Schriften von G. R. u. 
L. C. Treviranus. 1. 1817; Ueber die Saugwerkzeuge der Insecten, 
s. 112—130), and other writers; and although by these researches 
we are able to learn its structure and its peculiarities even to 
minuteness, yet there still remain obscurities and conflicting opi- 
nions, especially relating to the function of the parts. The maxille 
form an external case (demi-etuis exteriewrs R¥auMuR) ; the labial 
palps may be regarded as a second case, if the ligula alone be consi- 
dered to be the proper proboscis. Concerning this ligula, SwamMEr- 
DAM and TREVIRANUS adopted the opinion that it is perforated at 
the extremity by a fine aperture, and imbibes honey by its internal 
cavity. According to TREVIRANUS a canal runs from the base of 
the proboscis to the ceesophagus, though he could not trace the canal to 
it. In this case bees must have two mouths, which is contrary to all 
analogy. The proper mouth lies, as Réaumur correctly observed 
(whilst SwammeRDAm placed it in the supposed aperture of the pro- 
boscis), in the ordinary situation, behind the maxille, and above 
the ligula ; it is covered above by a little valve attached to the 
labrum (epipharynax or epiglossa of Savieny’). According to Réav- 
muR the bees lick honey with the proboscis, just as many mammals 
drink by licking with the tongue. It is probable however that honey 
is sucked up by the bee, and that the proboscis at the time, like the 
sucker of a pump, is moved up and down between the maxille. See 
Duces Physiologie comparée, u. pp. 317, 318, and especially the 
* We possess on this division a Monograph by the Nestor of modern Entomologists, 
Kirsy Monographia Apum Anglie, Ipswich, 1802, 8vo. 2 vols. 
° We have noticed this little valve above at p. 281. This part, already recognised 
by Ré&aumor, and considered by him to be the tongue, was also named by TREVIRANUS 
in bees Zunge (tongue), in wasps vordere Zunge (anterior tongue). 
