OR, MANUAL O^ THB APIARY. ISS 



push in and out, something- as the sections of a spy-glass are 

 worked. 



The ventral or sternal abdominal plates of the second, 

 third, fourth and fifth segments of the worker (Fig. 72) are 



Fig. 72. 



Underside of Abdomen of Worker-Bee.— Original, 

 w Wax Scales. w.w. Wax Scales. 



modified to form the " wax-pockets;" though wax-plate would 

 be a more appropriate name. These wax-plates (Fig, 73) are 

 smooth, and form the anterior portion of each of these ventral 

 plates. Each is margined with a rim of chitine, which gives 

 it strength, and makes " pocket " a more appropriate name, 



Fig. 73. 



Original. 

 wp Wax-Plates. c A Compound Hairs. 



especially as the preceding segment shuts over these wax- 

 plates.' The posterior portion — less than half the sternite 

 (Fig. 73) — bears compound hairs, and shuts over the succeed- 



