THE BEE. 41 



these two divisions of the leg (PI. VI. fig. l,j, and 

 fig. 2), another peculiarity presents itself: namely, 

 a cavity formed by the uppermost edge of the first 

 joint of the tai-sus and the lower edge of the tibia, 

 which ca^'ity (PI. VI. fig. 2) resembles an open vice, 

 and may be closed from the joint at the will of the 

 insect. But this is not all : on the upper side of this 

 receptacle (for this is the weU-known pocket or pollen- 

 basket of the Bee), you wUl find a row of long laucet- 

 or sword-shaped hairs (PI. VI. fig. 2, a'), regarding the 

 use of which we need not long remain in doubt. 

 Here it is that the industrious worker commences 

 the storing up of her " bee-bread," which consists of 

 the pollen of flowers moistened with honey ; the first 

 deposition being no doubt pressed together and con- 

 solidated by the prongs and the vice referred to, and 

 particle after particle added, and in like manner ren- 

 dered consistent by the rows of long hairs distributed 

 over the first joint of the tarsus, until the whole pollen- 

 mass assumes the form of those curious pellets that 

 you may see encumbering the little caterer as she 

 returns home from her aerial wanderings. The 

 sides of the tibia, as well as those of the first joint 

 of the tarsus, are slightly hollowed, whereby the de- 

 position and retention of the bee-bread are greatly 

 facilitated. 



And now let us travel on to the last joint of the 

 tarsus (PI. VI. fig. 1, e', & fig. 3), furnished with its 

 remarkable terminal claws, and we shall find that it 

 is hardly surpassed in interest by the wonderful feet 



