44 HUMBLE CREATURES. 



fold its wings, Nature has, by a beautiful but simple 

 contrivance^ attained this end : for, if you take your 

 lens and examine the anterior or front edge of the 

 hinder wing (PI. VI. fig. 4, h and PI. V. fig. 5), you will 

 be surprised to find a row of exquisitely formed hooks ; 

 whilst, on the opposite edge of the anterior wing 

 with which this row of hooks comes into immediate 

 contact, you will be able to detect a species of rib or 

 bar (PI. V. fig. 6, b), to which the hooks may be made 

 to adhere firmly, and both wings thus attached to 

 one another when requisite, presenting the desired 

 unbroken surface to the atmosphere. 



And now, reader, the reason why these wings are 

 of a tough resisting nature, and so wonderfully or- 

 ganized, is because they are not only employed in 

 flight, but also (as we shall see hereafter) in the ven- 

 tilation of the hive : in the latter capacity the insects 

 cause them to vibrate very rapidly, so as to create 

 a cuireiit ; in fact, they operate precisely on the prin- 

 ciple of the fan. It is hardly necessary, we presume, 

 to point out to you how inefficient such an instru- 

 ment would be if it had a slit down the middle ; and 

 you wiU now perceive why it is necessary that the 

 fore and hind wings of the Bee should be capable of 

 being locked together, so as to present one conti- 

 nuous unbroken surface. 



At the roots of the wings, upon what is termed the 

 sub-costal nerve, there are to be found a number of 

 pear-shaped vesicles, of a somewhat similar character 

 to those described upon the antennae ; here, however. 



