20 TREATISE ON THE 
are most efficient instruments, serving to the 
insect uhe same purpose as the arms and 
hands to man, are the shortest, and the pos- 
terior pair the longest. In each of these limbs 
there are several articulations or joints, of 
which three are larger than the others, serv- 
ing to connect the thigh, the leg or pallet, 
and the foot or tarsus, the others are situated 
chiefly in the tarsus. 
In the thigh of each of the Hagaler limbs, 
there is an admirable provision made for en- 
abling the Bee to carry to its hive an impor- 
tant part of its stores, and which neither the 
queen nor the mail possess, they being ex- 
empted from that labor, viz; a small trian- 
gular basket or cavity of a spoon-like shape, 
the exterior of which is smooth and glassy, 
while its inner surface is lined with strong. 
close set hairs. This cavity forms a kind of 
basket, destined to receive the pollen of 
flowers, one of the ingredients composing 
the food of the young. It receives also the 
propolis, a viscous substance, by which the 
combs are attached to the roof and walls of 
