STRUCTURE ADATTED TO WANTS. 



77 



will see that one is hollowed out, and that the hollow 

 is made deeper by a fringe of hairs. 



Nothing can be more perfectly constructed for 

 what is required. It forms what is called the ' pollen- 



Fig. I. Leg. 



basket.' In this cavity, or pollen-basket, the bee places 

 the fine pollen dust, which it gathers from the flowers, 



Fig. 2. Pollen-basket (reverse side of fig. i). 



working it into position by help of its other legs, and 

 making it quite secure by the hairs which surround the 

 little basket, some of which will be found buried in 

 the pollen, and holding it very firm. It is wonderful 

 how large pellets of this pollen the bee will in this way 

 carry safely home, where it is removed, pushed off 



