ITS WONDERFUL ADAPTATION. 



51 



not in use, is unfolded and darted instantaneously 

 into the blossom of a flower, sweeps up the nectar 

 which it finds, and consigns it to the honey bag. It 

 is then sheathed with the same rapidity, retracted in 

 part into the mouth, and the remainder doubled up 

 under the chin and neck, until again called into 



The Bee^s Mouth magnified. 



active service. This tongue is so admirably fitted 

 for " visiting every comer of the nectaries of flowers," 

 that it has been supposed bees can obtain their con- 

 tents without being obhged to use their mandibles, 

 for cutting a passage into the blossoms. This, how- 

 ever, is not always the case. Tlie testimony of two 

 very accurate obser\'ers leaves no doubt on my mind 



E 2 



