76 



INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



willow, and which she uses as a sort of varnish 

 and cement to the projecting parts of the 

 hive. 



For the purpose of collecting, carrying home, 

 and manufacturing these several products, the 

 working bee is provided with a complete and beauti- 

 ful apparatus, consisting 

 of a proboscis (almost as 

 wonderful in its way as 

 that of the elephant), 

 by which she ascertains 

 the nature of food, and 

 imbibes such as is 

 adapted to her wants; 

 a honey bag, or second 

 stomach, which is a 

 small transparent globe about the size of a pea, 

 where she deposits her nectar ; a pair of baskets, 

 one in each hind leg, in which she stores the pollen 

 of flowers, and the propolis or gum of trees ; and 

 lastly, in the case of the wax-makers, four pairs of 

 wax pockets, or membranous bags, contained in 

 the abdomen, where by some unknown process 



HEAD OF BEE. 



(Magnified.) 



