86 TONGUE OF HONEY BEE 



It was the opinion of Dr. Jabez Hogg that 

 the tongue is cylindrical, and used after the 

 manner of that of the butterfly. But this 

 does not seem to be borne out in the illustra- 

 tion. In the original photo-micrograph we 

 have the whole apparatus shown 10 inches 

 long. Of this length the tongue proper is 5 

 inches, and therefore of sufficient size for close 

 observation. It appears to be a solid body 

 with annular muscular bands, capable of ex- 

 tension and contraction. 



The juices of the flowers are conveyed along 

 the tongue to the receptacle at the base of 

 the labial palpi. Each of these labial palpi 

 is terminated by three jointed articulations, 

 which must add greatly to the efficiency of 

 the palpi, most probably constituting them 

 special organs of touch. 



At the base of each maxilla are the man- 

 dibles. In wasps as well as bees these organs, 

 according to several observers, supply the place 

 of trowels, spades, pick-axes, saws, scissors, and 

 knives, as necessity may require. 



Taking into account all the varied functions 



