36 
ON THE ANA TOM Y OF 
palpi, of very diminutive size, but having the same 
office to perform as those situated at the base of the 
ligula. The whole of the apparatus is capable of 
being doubled up by means of an articulation or joint 
in the middle. The half next the lip bends itself 
inwards, and lays itself along the other half which 
stretches towards the root, and both are folded 
together, within a very small compass, under the 
head and neck. The whole machinery rests on a 
pedicle, not seen in the figure, which admits of its 
being drawn back or propelled forwards to a con- 
siderable extent. The celebrated naturalist, Ray, 
whose knowledge of the minutiae of insect anatomy 
was but slender, “ was,” Kirby remarks, “ at a loss 
to conceive what could be the use of the complex 
machinery of the proboscis. We who know the 
admirable art and contrivance manifested in the con- 
struction of this organ, need not wonder, but we 
shall be inexcusable if wc do not adore.” * 
The Trunk of the Bee, or Thorax, (Wood-Cut, 
p. 31, fig. 2, a.) approaches in figure to a sphere, 
and is united to the head by a pedicle or thread-like 
ligament. It contains the muscles of the wings and 
legs. The former consist of two pair of unequal 
size, and are attached to each other by slender hooks, 
easily discernible through a microscope, and thereby 
their motion, and the flight of the insect, are rendered 
more steady. Behind the wings, on each side of the 
Trunk, are situated several small orifices, called 
stigmata or spiracles, through which respiration is 
effected. These orifices are connected with a system 
* Monographia Apum Angliae, II. 342. 
