314 THE MICROSCOPE. 



duction of the proboscis. The two shorter feelers are closely connected 

 to the proboscis, and terminate in three jointed articulations. Swam- 

 merdam thought these were used as fingers in assisting the removal of 

 obstructions ; but it is more probable that they are used by the insect 

 for the purpose of storing and removing the bee-bread to the pocket- 

 receptacle in the legs. The lower part of the proboscis is so formed 

 that it may be considerably enlarged at its base, and thus made to con- 



fig. 145. 



1. Honey-bee's tongue. 2. Leg, showing pocket for carrying the Bee-bread. 

 The small circles enclose the objects of their natui-aJ siae. 



tain a larger quantity of the collected juice of flowers ; while, at the 

 same time, in this cavity the nectar is soon transformed into pure honey 



