THE HONEY-BEE AND ITS THREE CLASSES. 13 



from two Latin words, signifying cut in parts, or divided), com- 

 posed of three parts — the head, thorax or chest, and abdomen. 

 The shape of the head varies somewhat, as also does its size, in 

 the three classes ; it is attached to the thorax by a thin liga- 

 ment, and the thorax is attached in a similar manner to the ab- 

 domen. In front of the head are two eyes, which are protected 

 by hairs from any substances that might otherwise injure them, 

 and on the top of the head are three smaller eyes. This visual 

 apparatus renders the bee's power of sight a very extended one. 

 Tiwo feelers, or antennae, spring from between the front eyes, and 

 curve outwards on each side ; these are endowed with a very 

 acute sense of touch, and doubtless perform many of the offices 

 of eyes in the dark recesses of the hive. It is probably by the 

 assistance of these delicate and highly sensitive organs that 

 these insects form their combs, fill their cells, and feed the 

 young. I am of opinion also, that they serve as a medium by 

 means of which the bees convey intelligence to each other. 



The mouth of the bee is composed of a pair of mandibles, or 

 jaws, which open vertically, and act (opening and shutting) to 

 the right and left. These are furnished with teeth at their ex- 

 tremities. The mouth is also furnished with a very minute 

 tongue, and with a long, slender instrument, called a proboscis, 

 or trunk, resembling in form and use that of the elephant ; it is 

 composed of numerous cartilaginous rings, fringed with minute 

 hairs. This instrument does not, however, act as a tube, but by 

 rolling about and attaching to the hairs which fringe it, whatever 

 substances the insect wishes to convey to the mouth ; fiom about 

 the base of the proboscis also arise the labial feelers, as they are 

 called, which are also furnished with a hairy fringe. 



The bee possesses three pair of legs, of which the posterior 

 are the longest, and the anterior the shortest. These are formed 

 and articulated much like the same limbs in man, and are at- 

 tached to the thorax ; at their extremities we find two little 

 hooks, which appear like sickles, or reaping hooks, and have 

 their points opposed to each other. By means of these, the in- 

 sect suspends itself to the top of the hive, or in any other posi- 

 tion it may desire. I have already mentioned the basket-like 

 provision on the hinder thighs of the workers — ^it is peculiar to, 

 and characteristic of them. 



To the superior portion of the thorax are attached four wings, 

 consisting of two pair of unequal size. These wings are hooked 



