NATURAL HISTORY. 



13 



curved, and a little pointed at each end. The future 

 segments of the insect now become gradually visible, 

 fifteen in number, and ten of them are furnished each 

 with a minute aperture on opposite sides of the body, 

 and connected with air-tubes, or spiracles, by which 

 respiration is carried on. The segments have also a 

 series of minute tubercles, whose office seems to be to 

 aid in the motions of the grub, which motions doubt- 

 less contribute to the assimilation of food, and so to 

 growth. The head of the larva is small, is smooth 

 above, and is furnished with two little projecting horns, 

 from which will be developed the future antennae. 



a. Worker larvse. 



Fig. a. — Laev.e. 

 6, Queen larva. c. Queen cell sealed. 



The jaws are small, and articulate below a nar- 

 row lip. They are constantly in motion, probably 

 to reduce the pollen-grains existing in the so-called 

 bee-bread, which, with honey, as already mentioned, 

 constitute their food. Beneath the jaws, and cen- 

 trally between them, is a fleshy protuberance, which 



