ANATOMY. 253 



sheath, consisting of four strong scales, the two 

 inner scales sheathing the tongue, and the two 

 outer and larger ones encompassing the whole. 

 When at work, the trunk is lengthened beyond 

 its sheaths, probes the very bottom of the flowers, 

 through all impediments of foliage or fructification, 

 and drains them of those treasured sweets which, 

 without such an apparatus, would be completely 

 inaccessible. 



The proboscis of the bee is not used like that 

 of other flies, not being tubular like theirs, but 

 serves as a brush or besom to sweep, or as a 

 tongue to lap *; having collected the nectar of 

 flowers in small drops, it deposits its collection 

 upon the tongue, which is protruded for the pur- 

 pose of receiving it, and having received it, with- 

 drawn again. 



The LIPS. The bee has two lips, an upper one 

 called labrum, and an under one called labiujn ; 

 (the Mentum of Latreille.) 



The TONGUE of the bee, which is very long, is 

 at its upper part cartilaginous ; below the middle, 

 membranous and capable of considerable inflation, 

 thus forming a bag to receive the honey from the 

 proboscis, preparatory to its conveyance into the 

 pharynx. It terminates in a knob, but has no 



* The bee and all other insects that lap their food are 

 called lambent insects. 



