Microscopical Essays. 



(heaths, m m, near the bottom of the probofcis ; tliefe cannot be 

 well feen without removing the {heath e e. 



The probofcis is partly membranaceous, and partly of a griflly 

 nature; the lower part is formed in fuch a manner/ that it will 

 fwell out confiderably, by which means the internal cavity may 

 be prodigioully enlarged, and rendered capable of receiving a 

 very large quantity of native and undigefted honey, and larger 

 than might be ex peeled from it's fize. When the probofcis is 

 {hut up and inactive, it is very much flattened, and is three or 

 four times broader than it is thick. The edges are always round ; 

 it grows tapering, though very gradually, towards the extremity. 

 The lower and membranaceous part of the trunk has no hair on 

 it, but is covered with little protuberant tranfparent pimples, 

 that are placed in regular order, and at equal diftances from each 

 other, refembling the little rifings obfervable on the {kin of birds 

 when the feathers have been plucked off. They are probably 

 glandules, and may have a confiderable {hare in changing or pre- 

 paring the honey that is fwal lowed or taken up by the probofcis. 

 Down the middle of the probofcis there is a tube of a much harder 

 nature than the fides, it grows gradually fmaller towards the top; 

 at this place the probofcis is very thick fet with fmall hairs ; whe- 

 ther they are open tubes, or whether they only ferve as fo many 

 claws, to keep it in it's proper place while in action, has not been 

 determined. 



The probofcis terminates m a fmall cylinder c, at the top of 

 which there is a little globule, or nipple ; the circumference of 

 the upper part of this cylinder is befet with hairs, which radiate 

 from it; the bee can contract this cylindrical part, and the little 



membrane, 



