ANATOMF OF THE BEE. 37 



times, in building combs, the tongue is used as a trowel, 

 with which the minute scales of wax are deposited irj 

 their appropriate places, and the desired finish is given 

 to the cells. This organ was formerly described by- 

 naturalists as a hollow tube, but we now know, by dis- 

 section, that this is not the case, but that it acts as a 

 brush, and, by a peculiar muscular contraction externally, 

 draws the liquid into the mouth. Thus, when a bee is 

 imbibing food, the rings of the abdomen have a vibratory 

 motion similar to pumping, showing to the casual observer 

 that suction is rapidly going on in some form or other, 



The labial palpi (Plate II., fig. 3 0) rise from the base 

 of each side of this lapping instrument, and are also 

 ciliated exteriorly; outside these are the lower jaws, 

 or maxillae (Plate II., fig. 2 n), similarly provided with 

 hairs. When the jaws (Plate II., fig. 3 n and 6) close 

 on the tongue, they form a sheath or defence thereto. 



With the mandibles of the upper jaw opening right and 

 left, and the maxillae or lower jaws, which serve to hold 

 the object laboured upon, the insect prepares its work 

 for the sweeping-up apparatus of the lower parts. Thus, 

 when combs become mouldy, or in any way unfit recep- 

 tacles for brood or honey, these tools provided by Nature 

 serve the place of hands, and the bees are able to chop 

 up in small pieces, and remove from their dwelling, what- 

 ever lumber of this kind may be offensive to them. The 

 whole of this apparatus, while perfect in action in an 

 expanded state, can be folded or coiled together when 



