43 HUMBLE CREATURES. 



of the Housefly, whereby that insect is enabled 

 to progress so readily upon glazed or inverted sur- 

 faces*. 



In the Bee the claws are forked (PI. VI. fig. 3), 

 and not simple, as in the Fly ; and whilst the latter 

 has two beautiful pads, the insect under considera- 

 tion is provided with only one central, hollow, cup- 

 shaped organ (PI. VI. fig. 3, a), studded aU over with 

 innumerable hairlets. The reason for this diflerence 

 in the construction of the feet of the two insects is 

 obvious enough. The central cup-shaped organ of 

 the Bee no doubt operates as do the pads in the Fly, 

 giving the insect a hold upon smooth surfaces : but, 

 as you will probably yourself have noticed, the Bee 

 does not move over such surfaces with the same 

 facility as the Fly, nor has it occasion so to do ; it 

 has therefore only one pad, more simple than those of 

 the Fly. But, on the other hand, having frequent 

 occasion to use its claws in its domestic operations, 

 such as the adjustment of wax, pollen, &c., these 

 instruments are, as just observed, of a more com- 

 plicated structure than those of the Housefiy. 



Thus you see that even on the hind-leg of a Bee, 

 there are to be found various appliances well adapted 

 to the uses for which they are intended, but not at 

 all requisite for the mere act of locomotion ; and if 

 we now proceed to investigate the wings of the in- 

 sect, we shall in like manner be surprised at the dis- 

 covery of exquisite contrivances that are applicable 

 * ' Eartliworm and Housefly/ p. 51. 



