46 THE HONEYFLOW 



tality, though not excessive, is still pretty con- 

 siderable. 



So the work goes on from dawn to dusk and 

 from dusk to dawn, for day and night do 

 not count inside the hive, where it is, be it 

 remembered, perpetually dark. All this wonder- 

 ful organisation is carried out without assistance 

 from the organs of sight. 



It would be hard to say what the special sense is 

 that enables everything to be done with such accu- 

 racy. Many think that the antennae with which aU 

 insects are provided is the seat of a sense of which 

 we can form no conception. Whether this be so 

 or not, it must be clear to all who have studied 

 bees closely that these organs are extremely useful. 

 The bees take great pains to keep them clean. 

 Upon issuing from the hive, each will be seen to 

 pass the antennas through the forefoot, the special 

 comb-like arrangement situated there being used 

 to remove any adherent particles which may clog 

 the delicate nerve-served hollows situated upon 

 them. That they serve as organs of touch there 

 can be no doubt. The very name " feelers," 

 popularly applied to them, is well warranted by 

 observation. But that this ends the usefulness of 

 the organs cannot for one moment be believed, 

 when we consider the marvellous elaboration of 

 them which is present in many insects. 



One outstanding and significant feature is the 

 fact that in male insects they very frequently 



