Micro-sco pre al 



Essays. 



membrane, in which the hairs are fixed, into a much mialler 

 •compafs, and draw it inwards. 



The probofcis is not cylindrical, but rather a kind of convex 

 blade, terminating nearly in a point ; and the (heaths are fo con- 

 trived as to cover little more than the upper part of it ; they are 

 •a kind of angular groove, of which the upper fide is the broadeft. 

 The exterior (heaths lap over each other on the upper part, fo 

 that the outfide of the probofcis is protected by a very ftrong 

 double cafe, a covering that was 'unneceflary for the under part ; 

 became when this inftrument is inufe the (heaths are opened, .but 

 when it is inactive it is fo folded that the under part is protected 

 by the body of the bee. Within fide the exterior (heath, and 

 near the bottom q, are two levers, which are fixed to the end of 

 the probofcis, and by which it is raifed and lowered. 



If aT)ee is attentively obferved when it has placed itfeff upon a 

 full-blown flower, the a&ivity and addrefs with which it ufes this 

 apparatus will be very confpicuous. It lengthens the end of ft, 

 and applies it to the bottom of the petals, or leaves, of the flower, 

 moving it continually in ten thoufand different ways, lengthening 

 and fhorl»enmg it, bending and turning it in all poffible dire&ions, 

 to adapt it to the form of the leaves of the flower. Thefe various 

 movements are executed with a promptitude that furpaffes all 

 =defcription. 



Mr. Swammerdam thinks that the honey is, as ft were, pumped 

 or fucked up by the bee through the hole at the end b of the pro- 

 bofcis ; he does not feem to have difcovered the apertures which 

 are on the cylindrical part, near the endh.. 



M. Reaia- 



