DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 
109 
The stomach mouth is provided with two sets of 
muscles, the longitudinal ones (Figs. 47 and 48, ^), and 
the others running round (Figs. 47 and 48,/). 
By means of these muscles the lips can be opened 
and closed at the will of the insect. If the bee col- 
lects nectar and wishes to store it, the stomach mouth 
is closed by means of these muscles and the valves 
in the gaps, and by contraction of the muscular layer 
of the honey stomach (Fig. 47, g) it is forced through 
the oesophagus out of the mouth. If the bee wishes 
to eat both honey and pollen, the lips are opened 
by the strong longitudinal muscles (/) and form a 
funnel. The outer membrane {c) with its hairs (d) by 
its constant creasing, pushes the pollen grains up to the 
opening, where they find their way down with the honey. 
The down-pointing hairs {a) prevent the pollen from re- 
turning when the lips are closed (Schiemenz, 144). 
Such is the construction of this stomach mouth, 
which Schonfeld says permits the bee to eat and drink 
when, where, and how she pleases, without having to 
trouble her mouth in any way. When a swarm leaves a 
hive, each bee takes with her as much honey as the sac 
will hold, and more than she requires for her own nutri- 
tion, as wax has to be produced and combs built. Or, if 
the weather be unfavourable for gathering after swarm- 
ing, it is this stomach mouth which enables her to restrict 
voluntarily the consumption of the food she brought with 
her ; and even in winter she can lay up a supply from 
the honey cells which will last her for days, to enable her 
to perform her duties and produce the necessary heat. 
From the stomach mouth extends into the chyle 
