INSECTS 33 



3. (Optional.) The bee also has a pair of small mandibles. 



They are attached to the head below the compound 

 eyes. They extend forward and are often crossed 

 underneath the lower lip. Separate them carefully 

 with the dissecting needle. When the bee uses them, 

 it bends the other mouth parts back out of the way. 



a. Are the mandibles hard or soft ? 



b. Describe their color and shape. 



Note. — The honeybee uses the mandibles in forming 

 the wax ceUs of the comb, and also at times as organs 

 of defense. 



4. Examine the hind leg and find the following parts : — 



a. A fairly prominent segment nearest the thorax, 



the femur; 



b. A segment larger than the femur and just below 



it, the tibia; 



c. A broad segment below the tibia, the basal part 



of the foot or tarsus; 



d. The remainder of the tarsus or foot consisting of 



four tiny segments with hooks on the end 



segment. 

 Make a drawing of one of the hind legs (X 4) to 



show all these parts in outline and label femur, 



tibia, basal part of tarsus, hooks, tarsus. 

 .'). Examine the outer surface of the tibia with a magnifier, 



noticing several rows of hairs around the margin. 



The portion of the tibia that faces outward, 



together with the hairs, is called the pollen 



basket. 

 Locate the pollen basket and show how it is 



adapted for holding pollen. 



26. History of beekeeping. — " It is abundantly evident from 

 the records of the remote past that beekeeping has always been a 

 favorite occupation with civilized nations. Egypt, Babylon, As- 

 syria, Palestine, Greece, Rome, and Carthage all had their bee- 

 keepers. ... In the days of Aristotle (in Greece) there are said to 



