TRUNK OF BEE. 



56T 



FJG. 288. 



the Cricket. The ligula is extremely developed in the Fly kind, 

 in which it forms the chief part of what is commonly called the 

 "proboscis" (Fig. 287); and it also forms the "tongue" of the 

 Bee and its allies (Fig. 288). In the Diptera or two-winged flies 

 generally, the labrum, maxillae, 

 mandibles, and the internal 

 tongue (where it exists) are 

 converted into delicate lancet- 

 shaped organs termed setce, 

 which, when closed together, 

 are received into a hollow on 

 the upper side of the labium 

 (Fig. 287, 6), but which are 

 capable of being used to make 

 punctures in the skin of ani- 

 mals or the epidermis of plants, 

 whence the juices maybe drawn 

 forth by the proboscis. Fre- 

 quently, however, two or more 

 of these organs may be want- 

 ing, so that their number is re- 

 duced from six to four, three, 

 or two. In the Hymenoptera 

 (bee and wasp tribe), however, 

 the labrum and the mandibles 

 (Fig. 288, 6), much resemble a, 

 those of mandibulate insects, 

 and are used for corresponding 

 purposes ; the maxillae (c) are greatly elongated, and form, when 

 closed, a tubular sheath for the ligula or "tongue," through 

 which the honey is drawn up ; the labial palpi (d) also are greatly 

 developed, and fold together like the maxillae, so as to form an 

 inner sheath for the " tongue';" while the " ligula" itself (e) is a 

 long tapering muscular organ, marked by an immense number 

 of short annular divisions, and densely covered over its whole 

 length with long hairs (B). It is not tubular, as some have stated, 

 but is solid ; when actively employed in taking food, it is ex- 

 tended to a great distance beyond the other parts of the mouth ; 

 but when at rest, it is closely packed up and concealed between 

 the maxillae. " The manner," says Mr. Newport, " in which the 

 honey is obtained when the organ is plunged into it at the bot- 

 tom of a flower, is by Mapping,' or a constant succession of short 

 and quick extensions and contractions of the organ, which occa- 

 sion the fluid to accumulate upon it and to ascend along its upper 

 surface, until it reaches the orifice of the tube formed by the 

 approximation of the maxillae above, and of the labial palpi and 

 this part of the ligula below." 



387. By the plan of conformation just described, we are led to 

 that which prevails among the Lepidoptera or butterfly tribe, 



labial palpi; e, ligula, or prolonged labium. 

 commonly termed the tongue : B, portion of the 

 surface of the ligula, more highly magnified. 



