38 HUMBLE CREATURES. 



struction, being covered along its whole length with 

 regular and symmetrical circlets or wreaths of fine 

 hairSj and terminated by a little flat lenticular ex- 

 pansiouj as represented in PI. V. fig. 1, d'. It is the 

 opinion of some authors^ that the ligula, unlike the 

 proboscis of the Butterfly, which operates as a tubular 

 suction-pump, is employed by the insect to lap the 

 honey after the manner of the tongue in the higher 

 animals. A careful examination of the organ, how- 

 ever, shows that it is furnished with a long thin tube, 

 which, commenciug at the root, traverses the whole 

 length, and terminates a;t the little expansion referred 

 to. This tube (which can be detached) may perhaps 

 be partially open on one side, or, judging by its ap- 

 pearance at the base of the Hgula, it is probably so 

 formed that it can be closed at the will of the insect ; 

 but there can be little doubt, from its whole appear- 

 ance and its connexion with the terminal disc, that it 

 serves to convey the nectar to the mouth. Lastly, 

 the labial palpi (PI. V. fig. 1, e) are articulated and 

 termiaated by little knobs covered with hairs, and, as 

 already observed, when not in use, the whole of this 

 complicated apparatus lies folded up and concealed 

 behind the pointed termiaation, and beneath the 

 under surface of the head. 



With regard to the oral organs of the Bee, we 

 have only further to observe, that although at first 

 sight it may appear strange that so humble an insect 

 should be thus remarkably endowed, it will no longer 

 be a matter of surprise when we come to consider 



