J84 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1792. 



The stomach arises from the lower end, and a little on the right side of this 

 bag. It does not gradually contract into a stomach, nor is the outlet a passage 

 directly out, but in the centre of a projection which enters some way into the 

 reservoir, being rather an inverted pylorus, thickest at its most projecting part, 

 with a very small opening in the centre, of a peculiar construction. This in- 

 ward projecting part is easily seen through the coats of the reservoir, especially 

 if full of honey. The stomach begins immediately on the outside of the reser- 

 voir, and the same part which projects into the reservoir, is continued some way 

 into the stomach, but appears to have no particular construction at this end ; and 

 therefore it is only fitted to prevent regurgitation into the reservoir, as such 

 would spoil the honey. This construction of parts is well adapted for the pur- 

 pose ; for the end projecting into the reservoir, prevents any honey from getting 

 into the stomach, because it acts there as a valve ; therefore whatever is taken 

 in, must be by an action of this vascular part. The stomach has a good deal 

 the appearance of a gut, especially as it seems to come out from a bag. It 

 passes almost directly downwards in the middle of the abdomen. Its inner sur- 

 face is very much increased, by having either circular valves, somewhat like the 

 valvute conniventes in the human jejunum, or spiral folds, as in the intestine of 

 the shark, &c. ; these may be seen through the external coats. In this part the 

 food undergoes the change. Where the stomach terminates, is not exactly to be 

 ascertained; but it soon begins to throw itself into convolutions, and becomes 

 smaller. 



The intestine makes 2 or 3 twists on itself, in which part it is enveloped in 

 the ducts, constituting the liver, and probably the pancreas, and at last passes on 

 straight to the termination of the abdomen. Here it is capable of becoming very 

 large, to serve on occasion as a reservoir, containing a large quantity of excre- 

 ment: it then contracts a little, and opens under the posterior edge of the last 

 scale of the back, above the sting in the female and labourers, and the penis in 

 the male. 



Of the senses of bees. — Bees certainly have the 5 senses. Sight none can 

 doubt. Feeling they also have; and there is every reason for supposing they 

 have likewise taste, smell, and hearing. Taste we cannot doubt: but of smell 

 we may not have such proofs : yet from observation I think they give strong signs 

 of smell. When bees are hungry, as a young swarm in wet weather, and are 

 in a glass hive, so that they can be examined, if we put some honey into the 

 bottom, it will immediately breed a commotion; they also seem to be on the 

 scent: even if they are weak, and hardly able to crawl, they will throw out their 

 probosces as far as possible to get to it, though the light is very feint. This last 

 appears to arise more from smell than seeing. If some bees are let loose in a 

 bee hive, and do not know from which house they came, they will take their 



