NATURAL HISTORY- 59 



form a three-sided basket. The bottom of it 

 is smooth and shining, and appears like horn, 

 and all around the edges are placed very 

 strong, thick-set hairs, like bristles." 



" What are these for ?" 



" To keep things from falling out of the 

 basket ; and these bristles are so strong that 

 even if they heap up more than the basket 

 will hold, the bristles will keep it from falling. 

 Here is a drawing of these legs. 



Structure of the legs of the Bee for carrying propolis and pollen, 

 magnified. 



Besides carrying this dust, they also carry 



what is called propolis" 



"What is propolis, Uncle Philip?" 



" It is a gum which is found upon some 



