OR, MANUAL OK THE APIARY. 133 



of the jaws. This tube forms the larg-est channel through 

 which nectar passes to the pharynx. The labium varies in 

 length from .23 to .27 of an inch. By the sub-men- 

 tum (Fig. 54, A, o) and two chitinous rods, the lora (Fig. 

 54, A, 6, b), it is hinged to the maxillae. The base or mentum 

 is chitinous beneath and membranous above. From the men- 

 tum extends the tongue or ligula (Fig. 54, A, t), the paraglossae 

 (Fig. 54, A, p, p), sac-like organs which connect with the 

 cavity of the mentum, and so are distended with blood when 

 the mentum is pressed. They also stand out like leaves or 

 plates, and aid in directing the nectar which is drawn through 

 the ligula into the mouth (Fig. 16). The labial palpi (Fig. 54, 

 A, k, k) are four jointed, and in arrangement, form and func- 

 tion resemble the maxillae. The tongue or ligula consists of 

 an annulated sheath (Fig. 54, C, S) which is slitted along its 

 under side to near the end. This is very hairy. "Within this 

 is a tubular rod (Fig. 54, B and C, R) which is also slitted 

 along its under side to near the end, and opens above at its 

 base between the paraglossse (Fig. 54, C). Each margin of 

 this slitted rod is united by a thin pubescent membrane to the 

 corresponding margin of the surrounding sheath (Fig. 54, C, s). 

 (So far as I know I was the first to discover this membrane.) 

 Hence any pressure within the annular sheath may throw the 

 central rod out (Fig. 54, B, R). This results when we press on 

 the mentum ; as the blood pushes into the sheath and straight- 

 ens the folded membrane (Fig. 54, C, s). The bee then can 

 take nectar in three ways, first rapidly when sipping from 

 flowers containing much nectar (Figs. 54, A, 57, o, o) by the 

 large channels formed by approximating its maxillae and 

 labial palpi (Fig. 54, A, Fig. 57, o, o) ; secondly, slowly from 

 deep tubular flowers, when it sips through the central rod ; 

 and, thirdly, it may lap from a smeared surface because of the 

 slitted ligula. By use of colored liquids I have demonstrated 

 that the bee does actually sip in all these ways. At the end of 

 the ligula there is a funnel (Fig. 54, A,f, 56, b). 



Strange to say the structure and physiology of the tongue 

 of the honey-bee were more correctly explained by old Swam- 

 merdam, than by most modern writers. Both he and Reaumur 

 were quite accurate in their descriptions. Wolff, in his ele- , 



