GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 



23 



(v, C, E, H) fastened to the tibia, or upper large joint. 

 llie learned Dr. Dubini, of Milan (L'Ape, Milan, 1881), 

 spcnks of it as boing used to cleanse the antenna' and the 

 toiigiu' of tho pollon that sticks to them. Mr. Cheshire 

 thinlvs it is used only In cleanse the antenna;, from the fact 

 that this notch, which has teeth like a comb (F, Plate IV), is 

 found as well in the i[ueen and the drone as in the worker, 

 and that its aperture corresponds exactly to the different 

 sizes of the antenna of each sex. (IT, Plate IV.) 



56. The second [lair of legs have no notch, but the lower 



Fis. l.-i. 



I'OSTERIOH LEGS. 



(Magnified. From Maurice Girard.) 

 A, of the queen; B, of the worlier (under side) ; C. of the worlier (upper 

 Bide) ; D, of ijhe drone. 



extremity of the tibia bears a spur (D s, Plate IV) or spine, 

 which is used in loosening the pellets of pollen, brought to 

 the hive on the tibias of the posterior legs (Plate IV). This 

 spur also helps in cleaning the wings. 



67. The posterior or hind legs are very remarkable, in 

 several respects. Between the tibia and the metatarsus 

 (B, iqi, Plate IV) they have an articulation, whose parts close 

 like pincers, and which serves to loosen from the abdomen 

 the scales of wax to be mentioned further on (201). As 

 neither the queen nor the drone produces wax, they are des- 

 titute of this implement. 



