THE HONEY-BEE. 33 



objects close at hand. It is not improbable., however 

 that these last, from their peculiar position, are ap- 

 propriated to upward vision. 



The ANTENNAE (Fig. I. &.) present us with another 

 remarkable appendage of the head. These are 

 two tubes about the thickness of a hair, springing 

 from between the eyes, and a little below the ocelli ; 

 they are jointed throughout their whole length, each 

 consisting of twelve articulations, and therefore cap- 

 able of every variety of flexure. Their extremities 

 are tipped with small round knobs, exquisitely sensi- 

 ble ; and which, from their resemblance to the stem- 

 mata or ocelli, have been supposed by some to serve 

 as organs of vision ; by others, as connected with the 

 sense of hearing ; and by others, as organs of feeling 

 or touch. This last seems the most probable con- 

 jecture, as on approaching any solid object or obstacle, 

 the Bee cautiously brings its antennae in contact with 

 it, as if exploring its nature. The insects use these 

 organs, also, as a means of recognizing one another ; 

 and an interesting instance is stated by Huber, in 

 which they were employed to ascertain the presence 

 of their queen, (vide page 48.) 



The MOUTH of the Bee comprehends the tongue, 

 the mandibles or upper jaws, the maxillse or lower 

 jaws, the labrum or upper lip, the labium or lower 

 lip, with the proboscis connected with it, and four 

 palpi or feelers. The tongue of the Bee, like that 

 of other animals, is situated within the mouth, and 

 is so small and insignificant in its form, as not to be 

 easily discernible. In most anatomical descriptions 



