PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BEE. 99 



narrows from its base to its extremity, at which there 

 is a slight inflation, which seems to have a perfora- 

 tion in its centre, and is surrounded by hairs. The 

 tongue has also a large number of cartilaginous 

 rings, each bordered with minute hairs, which appear 

 to be the means used for sweeping up the last 

 remains of any fluid which has been almost ex- 

 hausted. The act of imbibition is performed, not 

 so much by suction, as by lapping. Its motions 

 being free in all directions, it can easily draw liquid 

 into the mouth on all sides. We notice, however, 

 that when the supply of food being taken is very 

 considerable, the segments of the abdomen have a 

 vibratory motion, or, rather, are alternately lengthened 

 and shortened, as if fluid were being pumped into 

 the body. It is, therefore, possible that, under some 

 circumstances, suction as well as lapping may go on. 

 Still, it is remarkable that a bee does not insert the 

 tip of its proboscis into a drop of honey or other 

 saccharine material, as it would do if it intended to 

 draw liquid through a tube. It much rather uses the 

 middle of the upper surface of the tongue, curving 

 round the point as if not to employ it. If, however, 

 the honey or syrup be very thick, the fore-part of the 

 tongue is thrust into it, possibly to dilute the liquid 

 with saliva, and thus to render it fit for lapping. In 

 all cases the insect tries to load the upper surface, 

 whence the fluid passes backward under the sheaths 

 to the gullet ; and we see no reason to believe that the 

 proboscis constitutes a tube for imbibition. A further 

 confirmation of this conclusion is given by Shuckard, 

 who says, " By pressing towards its origin, I have 

 detected the liquid which gave it its extension ; but 



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