THE BEE. 17 



the middle or thoracic region. On the under side of 

 this section we find the three pairs of legs (1, 2, 3) *, 

 and on the dorsal surface the two pairs of wings (4, 5) . 

 The only prominent memhers, or rather organs, visible 

 upon the head, are the delicate antennae or feelers (6) ; 

 whilst the posterior or abdominal segment appears 

 perfectly free from aU appendages, unless the sting (7) 

 happen to be protruded. 



And now as to the form and composition of the 

 three sections themselves. In order to consider these, 

 we will ask you to lay the insect on the palm of your 

 hand, so that the dorsal surface, or back, is opposite 

 you, as shown in the illustration (PI. II. fig. 1). You 

 win then perceive that the head presents an irregular 

 flattened oval appearance, and is placed horizontally 

 upon the thorax, which is nearly circular ; whilst the 

 posterior or abdominal segment, comprising at least 

 half of the body, is of an elongated oval form, and 

 distinctly divided into what appears to be perfect rings 

 or articulations. But now reverse the position of the 

 insect, so that the back is in contact with your palm, 

 and you will at once observe that the rings of the abdo- 

 men are not perfect and continuous (PL HI. figs. 2 & 3), 

 but are composed of two rows of belts, a dorsal and a 

 ventral series. The former or dorsal belts are by far 

 the longest, reaching a little way round the body on 

 either side, and overlying the ventral series, as shown 



* The posterior legs appeab in the Plate as though they 

 were appended to the hinder segment, but this arises from the 

 direction that they take ; they are attached to the chest. 



