BRITISH HIVE-BEE. 



335 



fusion of parts. The supra-cesophageal ganglia are very 

 large, and send large lateral extensions to the compound 

 eyes. This "brain" is best developed in the active 

 workers. The sub-cesophageal mass is formed by the 

 fusion of three pairs of ganglia. In the thorax there are 

 two pairs of ganglia, of which the second supplies the wings 

 and the two last pairs of legs. In the worker there are five 



FlG. 179. Nervous system of bee. After Cheshire. 



A, of larva. B, of adult. ., Antenna ; mx. y maxilla j m. t mandible ; 

 iv. , origin of wing ; 1-5, abdominal ganglia. 



pairs of abdominal ganglia, but in the queen and drone 

 only four. The sense organs are the simple and compound 

 eyes, and the antennae, which are furnished with numerous 

 sensitive structures. 



Alimentary system. The oesophagus is a narrow tube 

 which runs down the thoracic region. In the abdominal 

 region it expands into the crop or honey-sac. The crop 

 opens by a complicated orifice, with a remarkable stopper 



