PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BEE. 93 



is pressed over it, and being drawn through the round 

 space, dust and other soilures are removed from its 

 surface. So particular are the bees about keeping 

 their antennse thoroughly clean, that they may often 

 be observed continuing this operation of drawing 

 them through the curry-comb till perfectly satisfied 

 with their condition. Doubtless, the delicate nature 

 of the impressions to which these organs are sus- 

 ceptible, supplies the reason for the care taken in 

 freeing them from all extraneous substances. 



The uses served by the antennas are various and 

 very remarkable. Their first function seems to be 

 to supplement vision. Endowed with exceeding 

 flexibility, they are kept by the insects in constant 

 motion ; and when their eyes fail to guide them to 

 particular spots, such as the entrance to the hive, or 

 as to the nature of objects with which they come 

 into contact, the antennae appear to supply the 

 necessary information. There is little doubt that 

 these "horns" or "feelers," as they are commonly 

 called, are sensitive, also, to impressions from objects 

 at some distance. Vibrations of the air too feeble 

 to affect our organs affect them. It may even be 

 that other qualities of the atmosphere are appre- 

 hended by them. The shape of the cells; the 

 suitability of these for brood of various kinds, for 

 honey or for bee-bread, is ascertained by the antennae. 

 Every want and every duty is recognised by them ; 

 the presence or absence of the queen is discovered 

 by their use, and intelligence is conveyed from one 

 individual to another by means of them. 



Of these facts, Huber has given the following 

 striking evidence. He divided a stock hive into two 



