INSECTS : THEIB FEET. 137 



ually fill from the combs, and then return to deposit 

 the results of their collecting. 



One of these baskets I can show you ; and, indeed, 

 we should be unpardonable to overlook it, for it is the 

 companion structure to the former. I make the stage 

 forceps to revolve on it axis, and thus bring into 

 focus the joint (tibia) immediately above that of the 

 combs, and so that we shall look at its opposite sur- 

 face ; that is, the outer. We notice at once two or 

 three peculiarities, which distinguish the joint in this 

 instance from other parts of the same limb, and from 

 the corresponding part in the same limb of other insects. 



First, the surface is decidedly concave, whereas it is 

 ordinarily convex. Secondly, this concave surface is 

 smooth and polished (except that it is covered with a 

 minute network of crossed lines), not a single hair, 

 even the most minute, can be discerned in any part ; 

 whereas the corresponding surface of the next joints, 

 both above and below, is studded with fine hairs, as is 

 the exterior of insects generally. Thirdly, the edges 

 of this hollowed basin are beset with long, slender, 

 acute spines, which pursue the same curve as the 

 bottom and sides, expanding widely, and arching up- 

 ward. 



Here, then, we have a capital collecting-basket. 

 Its concavity of course fits it to contain the pollen. 

 Then its freedom from hairs is important : hairs would 

 be out of place in the concavity. Thirdly, the mar- 

 ginal spines greatly increase the capacity of the vessel 

 to receive the load, on the principle of the sloping 

 stakes which the farmer plants along the sides of his 

 waggon when he is going to carry a load of hay or 

 com. 



