Spinning Gland in Bee Larva. 113 
of this organ. Within the mentum (Fig. 36 ¢, m) are 
strong muscles for retracting the organ. The force of 
suction is doubtless analogous to the act of drinking on our 
own part. The rythmical motion of the ligula in sipping 
honey is thus explained. By the muscles of the mouth the 
cavity is enlarged, producing suction, when by pressure 
swallowing is accomplished. 
When not in use, the tongue with the attendant mouth 
organs, are bent back under the head (Fig. 36 2). 
GLANDULAR ORGANS. 
These important organs, which have been so fully 
described by Siebold, Wolff, and especially by Schiemenz, 
are so intimately connected with the mouth organs, are so 
evidently useful in digestion, and are so well developed in 
the worker bees, that they deserve full consideration. 
Fic. 37. 
Spinning Gland of Larva, and cross section of same, after Scniemens, 
C Gland. S Sinus. 
Z Duct. D Common Duct. 
The spinning gland of the larval bee is a simple tubular 
gland, and is well illustrated by Schiemenz (Fig. 37). On _ 
each side within the head of the worker bee ee 38 a) 
are large glands, discovered by Meckel in 1846, and ai 
described by Siebold in 1870, which are very rudimentary 
in the queen and entirely absent in the drone. They are 
often called the lower head glands. These are in form of . 
