THE HONEY-BEE. 
33 
objects close at hand. It is not improbable, however, 
that these last, from their peculiar position, are ap- 
propriated to upward vision. 
The Antenna (Fig. I. b.) present us with another 
remarkable appendage of the head. These are 
two tubes about the thickness of a hair, springing 
from between the eyes, and a little below the ocelli ; 
they are jointed throughout their whole length, each 
consisting of twelve articulations, and therefore cap- 
able of every variety of flexure. Their extremities 
are tipped with small round knobs, exquisitely sensi- 
ble ; and which, from their resemblance to the stem- 
mata or ocelli, have been supposed by some to serve 
as organs of vision ; by others, as connected with the 
sense of hearing ; and by others, as organs of feeling 
or touch. This last seems the most probable con- 
jecture, as on approaching any solid object or obstacle, 
the Bee cautiously brings its antennae in contact with 
it, as if exploring its nature. The insects use these 
organs, also, as a means of recognizing one another ; 
and an interesting instance is stated by Huber, in 
which they were employed to ascertain the presence 
of their queen, (vide page 48.) 
The Mouth of the Bee comprehends the tongue, 
the mandibles or upper jaws, the maxillae or lower 
jaws, the labrum or upper lip, the labium or lower 
lip, with the proboscis connected with it, and four 
palpi or feelers. The tongue of the Bee, like that 
of other animals, is situated within the mouth, and 
is so small and insignificant in its form, as not to be 
easily discernible. In most anatjjjnical descriptions 
C 
