HYMENOPTERA 



365 



air through the spiracles (similar, therefore, to the human voice). This 

 voice the bee can control voluntarily (e.g., the "tooting" of the queen 

 before swarming). 



(b) Since the movements of the bee are very largely carried on By 

 the wings, all the thoracic segments are firmly united (see p. 811, and 

 compare with cockchafer, p. 340). 



3. How the Bee collects its Food. (a) Having observed a flower 

 which can supply it with food for itself and its family, the bee alights 

 upon it, and by means of the two hook-like, double-pointed claws at the 

 end of each of the last tar sal joints it lies anchored, as it were, to the 



LEFT HIND-LEG OF A WORKING FEMALE HONEY-BEE. (Strongly magnified.) 

 On the left, viewed from the outer side ; on the right, viewed from inner side. 



S., Femur ; Sch., tibia ; F., foot ; K., two pointed claws with balls between them ; Kb., basket ; 



B.,- brush. 



swaying blossom. Between each pair of claws, moreover, we find a 

 "pad" or "ball" (see house fly), by means of which a still firmer 

 attachment is secured, so that, however steep or smooth the supporting 

 surface, the insect cannot drop. 



(b) As soon as the insect has settled, its mouth parts enter into 

 action ; these partly represent an apparatus adapted for sucking up 

 flower-juices (nectar), partly have the form of pincer-shaped organs 

 adapted for biting. 



The maxilla and labial palpi are elongated structures, so shaped that 

 when folded together they form a tube. Within this the central division 



