258 PHYSIOLOGY. 



inmates in two hooks, with their points opposite to 

 each other, by means of which the bees suspend 

 themselves from the roofs or sides of the hives or 

 boxes, and hang from each other, in the form of 

 festoons, ropes, or cones. From the middle of 

 each pair of hooks proceeds a little thin appendix, 

 which is usually folded up ; when unfolded it en- 

 ables the insects to fasten themselves to polished 

 surfaces, such as glass, &c. : they probably also 

 use it for taking up small bodies, the pollen for 

 instance, which they thereby transmit to the hol- 

 lows of their hinder legs. 



The trunk also gives origin to a number of 

 muscles, serving various purposes, which it would 

 lead me too much into detail to enter upon here. 



THE ABDOMEN. 



The abdomen, besides various other parts, con- 

 tains the honey-bag, the venom-bag, and the anus, 

 which latter in the female comprehends the ovi- 

 positor and sting : in the male it contains the 

 organs of reproduction but no sting, and of course 

 no ovipositor. For a particular account of these, 

 vide Organs of Reproduction further on. 



ORGANS OF SENSATION. 



We have an abundance of presumptive evidence 

 that bees are endowed with sensation and percep- 

 tion, and that the excitement of these faculties is 



