48 INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



versing the boxes, they soon discovered the openings 

 through which they might introduce their bodies, and, 

 pressing against the valves, reached the honey. Their 

 extreme delicacy of smelling is hence most obvious, 

 for not only was the honey quite concealed from view, 

 but its very effluvia, from being purposely covered and 

 disguised, could not be much diffused. 



"It is worthy of remark that some flowers have a 

 structure resembling the valves in the experiment. 

 The honey-vessel of several species is situated at the 

 bottom of a tube, enclosed or concealed among the 

 petals; yet, in spite of this concealment, the bee finds 

 it out, though its instinct, less refined than that of 

 the humble-bee (Bombus), affords fewer resources. 

 The latter, when unable to penetrate the flowers by 

 their natural cavity, drills an aperture at the base of 

 the tube, through which it insinuates its sucker into 

 the place where nature has placed the reservoir of 

 honey. By means of this stratagem, and favoured 

 by the length of its sucker, the humble-bee can ob- 

 tain honey which the hive-bee could reach with^great 

 difficulty, if at all*/' 



We have frequently observed with much interest 

 the method taken by various species of bees to open 

 the operculated flower of the common snapdragon 

 (Antirrhinum niajus). Resting upon the lower lip 

 of the flower, the insect insinuates its tongue between 

 the upper lip and the valve, and then thrusting in its 

 head, acts with it as a wedge to force the shut edges 

 asunder. In this manner it speedily accomplishes an 

 entrance, and the flower shuts over it with a snap; 

 hence, perhaps, the popular name. When the bee 

 has obtained the honey at the bottom of the flower, 

 it makes its exit in the same way as it entered. 



Contrary to what we understand Huber to affirm 

 * Huber on Bees, p, 261. 



