Legs of Bees. 



125 



arrangement for this purpose, a delicate brush and a soft 

 membrane; even better than the house-wife armed with 

 soft brush and a silk kerchief, for this antenna cleaner just 

 fits the organs to be dusted. We have seen the important 

 function of the antennae, as most delicate touch organs, and 

 as organs of smell, two senses of marvelous development 

 in the bee. It is as imperative that the bee keeps its antennje 

 dust-free, as that the microscopist keeps his glasses immacu- 

 late. A delicate brush (Figs. 43 & 44) on the end of the 

 tibia opposite the spur and also the brush of rather spinous 

 hairs on the tarsus (Fig. 44) are of use to brush the hairs, 

 eyes and face, as may be seen by careful observation. 



Fig. 46. 



Fig. 5. 



End of Worker Bee^s Foot, 



P Pulvillus. C Claws. 



T End of 5th Tarsus. 



End of Middle Leg- of Worker Bee. 



The claws and pulvilli — the delicate gland' between the 

 claws — are well marked on all the feet of bees. The claws 

 (Fig. 44 c/) are toothed and are very useful in walking 

 up wooden or other rough surfaces, as they are used just 

 as a squirrel uses its claws in climbing ;i tree. These claws 

 are also used in holding the bees to some object or together 

 while cUisteriiig. What a grip they must have. It is as 

 if we were to grasp a limb or branch and then hold hun- 

 dreds, yes thousands, of other persons as heavy as ourselves 



