100 



BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



as before stated, and carrying the mentum itself 

 backwards, by which movement the delicate skin 

 lying between the two secretory openings bends upon 

 itself, and the tongue, embraced by the maxillae, 

 doubles back behind the head, as at A. So that, in- 



* sdN°l 



Fig. 19.— Ideal Sections Through Tongue (Magnified Twelve times). 



A, Tongue Fully Retracted. B, Tongue Outstretched for Sucking ; lettering as 

 Fig. 18. C, Ideal Line of Pharynx and Tongue in Activity. D, Method 

 amongst the Apidce, or Long-Tongued Bees, of Folding Tongue in Repose— a 

 Articulation at Base ; b, Bouton, or Point. E, Method amongst the Andre- 

 nidce, or Short-Tongued Bees, of Folding Tongue in Repose; lettering as D. 



stead of presenting one sweep line (C), it is divided 

 into three between a and b (D). The whole family 

 of the Apidse thus turn the point of the tongue 

 backwards, while the Andrenidas (see page 8) turn it 

 forwards by a single doubling. 



A most beautiful adaptation here becomes evident. 

 Nectar gathered from blossoms needs conversion into 

 honey. Its cane sugar* must be changed into grape 

 sugar, and this is accomplished by the admixture of 



* See "The Chemistry of the Hive," Otto Hehner, F.C.S. British Bee 

 Journal, 15th Nov., 1883. 



