MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 74 



Fig. 147. Parts of the Wings of the Common Wasp, showing 

 the natural position of the Hooks ( Vespa vulgaris) , x 100. 



The drawing represents the single row of hooks,, when seen 

 in their natural position that is, when the posterior or 

 smaller wing is hooked on to the larger, so as to appear to a 

 superficial observer as one wing (see the natural insect, also 

 the drawing of the same). This peculiarity is one of the 

 structural characteristics of the order. 



The wings are easily mounted, the best plan being to well 

 wash them in warm water, place in their natural positions, 

 dry under strong pressure between two slips of glass, soak in 

 turpentine until transparent, and mount in balsam. 



Fig. 148. Leg of the Neuter or Working Hive-Bee (Apis 

 mellifica), x 10. 



Another fine structural organ or, rather, instrument of this 

 order is the leg (see drawing). On noticing this, it will be 

 seen that the first joint of the tarsus, or foot, is closely 

 covered with a multitude of small stiff hairs; these form a 

 kind of brush, with which the Bee brushes the pollen-dust 

 from the anthers and stamens of flowers (see fig. 44) into the 

 cavity made to receive the same. This basket, or cavity, is 

 placed outside the brush, or first joint of the tarsus, and the 

 joint of the leg called the tibia ; the hinge which connects 

 these two joints is marvellously strong, and also very flexible. 

 It is a well-known fact that Bees never gather the pollen, but 

 from one species, or at the most, from allied species of plants 

 at each journey. The reason of this is, that pollens differ 

 greatly in size (see figs. 40, 41, &c.), and by the laws of 

 cohesion, particles of matter of various sizes cohere with 

 much more difficulty than particles all of one size ; the Bee, 

 therefore, only gathers the pollen of one kind of plant on 

 each separate journey. With this pollen the Bee makes her 

 Bee-bread, with which to feed the larvae. 



The leg may be mounted as a transparent or opaque object ; 

 the mode of treatment is as usual. 



