THE BEE. 35 



Having now examined the mysterious antennae, and 

 briefly referred to the present state of our knowledge 

 regarding their functions, let us ask you once more 

 to take up your lens and proceed with us in the in- 

 vestigation of the Bee's head, of which we have not 

 by any means exhausted the scientific treasury. At 

 the first glance, however, it is difficult to discover any 

 other features of interest upon this part of the body ; 

 but a more careful investigation, especially in the 

 living Bee, soon reveals an apparatus as complicated 

 and remarkable as any that is to be found in the 

 insect world. 



The next time you observe a Bee as it enters the 

 coroUa of some fragrant flower in search of honey, 

 take notice of the appearance presented by the pointed 

 termination of its head (PI. III. fig. 1, d), and you 

 wiU see the two halves into which the extremity is 

 divided opened from time to time, and a set of beau- 

 tiful organs protruded (PI. V. fig. 1). These consti- 

 tute the oral apparatits, or the organs of the mouth, 

 which lie folded up underneath the head when not in 

 use, and to these we shall now direct our attention. 



It is well known that in the most perfect form of 

 the masticating apparatus of insects, there are to be 

 found the following symmetrical parts : — (1.) A hori- 

 zontal labrum or upper lip, and a labium or lower lip, 

 the latter being furnished with two lateral organs 

 known as the labial palpi or feelers, and both lips 

 working up and down perpendicularly like our own. 

 These portions of the apparatus, when closed, usually 



