INSECTA. 351 



many sexless individuals whose business it is to construct the nest, 

 and to feed the larvae uninterruptedly 1 . 



Phalanx I. Apiarice. Median division of ligula filiform or 

 setaceous, of the same length as mentum, or longer than mentum, 

 inflected downwards, with the maxillae, quite, from the insertion of 

 the maxillary palps. Two joints of labial palps mostly conjoined, 

 forming a compressed horny seta or lateral lacinia of the ligula; 

 two succeeding joints very small, set laterally upon the acuminate 

 apex of former. Two short paraglossge at the base of ligula. 



The proboscis of the bee has been investigated by SWAMMEKDAM 

 (Bijb. d. Nat. bl. 445 451), REAUMUR (Ins. v. Qieme Memoir e, 

 pp. 304 326), Gr. R. TREVIRANUS (Verm. Schriften von G. R. u. 

 L. C. TREVIRANUS. 11. 1817 ; Ueber die Saugwerkzeuge der Insecten, 

 s. 112 130), and other writers; and although by these researches 

 we are able to learn its structure and its peculiarities even to 

 minuteness, yet there still remain obscurities and conflicting opi- 

 nions, especially relating to the function of the parts. The maxillse 

 form an external case (demi-etuis exterieurs REAUMUR) ; the labial 

 palps may be regarded as a second case, if the ligula alone be consi- 

 dered to be the proper proboscis. Concerning this ligula, SWAMMER- 

 DAM and TREVIRANUS adopted the opinion that it is perforated at 

 the extremity by a fine aperture, and imbibes honey by its internal 

 cavity. According to TREVIRANUS a canal runs from the base of 

 the proboscis to the esophagus, though he could not trace the canal to 

 it. In this case bees must have two mouths, which is contrary to all 

 analogy. The proper mouth lies, as REAUMUR correctly observed 

 (whilst SWAMMERDAM placed it in the supposed aperture of the pro- 

 boscis), in the ordinary situation, behind the maxillae, and above 

 the ligula ; it is covered above by a little valve attached to the 

 labrum (epipharynx or epiglossa of SAVIGNY 2 ). According to REAU- 

 MUR the bees lick honey with the proboscis, just as many mammals 

 drink by licking with the tongue. It is probable however that honey 

 is sucked up by the bee, and that the proboscis at the time, like the 

 sucker of a pump, is moved up and down between the maxillae. See 

 DUGES Physiologie comparee, n. pp. 317, 318, and especially the 



1 We possess on this division a Monograph by the Nestor of modern Entomologists, 

 KIRBT Monographia Apum Anglice, Ipswich, 1802, 8vo. 2 vols. 



2 We have noticed this little valve above at p. 281. This part, already recognised 

 by REAUMUR, and considered by him to be the tongue, was also named by TREVIRANUS 

 in bees Zunge (tongue), in wasps vordere Zunge (anterior tongue). 



