22 



The Honey-Makers 



Beneath the maxilte lies the lower lip. This is composed 

 in part of two four-jointed organs, the labial palpi (LP). 

 Like the maxillae the palpi have two large horny joints (i, 2), 

 but they also have two short joints (3, 4), which possess 

 sensitive hairs, and, in short, are " feelers." 



The two palpi lie side by side, their inner edges overlap- 

 ping underneath the tongue, so that, like the maxilte, they 

 form a partial tube. 



Thus, where the proboscis is let down but not lengthened 

 it is a short tube, closed above by the maxillae, below by 



III. 



the palpi. When by a remarkable contrivance the labial 

 palpi are extended beyond the maxillae, the proboscis is 

 lengthened but is no longer a complete tube, since, de- 

 prived of the roof formed by the maxillae, it is open above. 



