42 
BRITISH BEES. 
or palms; and in the four posterior plantce, or soles; 
the other joints are called the digiti, or fingers, or tarsus 
collectively; at the extremity of the terminal one are the 
two claws, which are sometimes simple hooks, but usually 
have a smaller booklet within; they have both lateral and 
perpendicular motion, and between their insertion is af¬ 
fixed the pulvillus, or cushion. The coxce in their occa¬ 
sional processes exhibit very useful specific characters, as 
do the markings and form of the remaining joints of the 
leg and foot, which in several genera furnish generic pecu¬ 
liarities. The four anterior tarsi have each a moveable 
spine, or spur, at their apex within, which can be expanded 
to the angle at which the insect wishes to place the limb, 
and to which it forms a collateral support; the posterior 
tibiae have two each of these spurs, excepting in the genus 
Apis, which has none to this leg. Attached to this 
spur on the anterior tibiae of all the bees, there is, with¬ 
in, a small velum, or sail, as it has been 
called; this is a small angular appendage 
affixed within the spur by its base. At 
the base of the palmae of the same legs, 
and opposite the play of this velum, there 
is a deep sinus, or curved incision, the 
strigilis, called thus or the curry-comb, 
from the pecten, or comb of short stiff 
hair which fringes its edge. Upon this 
aperture the velum can act at the will of 
Fig. 11 —Ante- insect, and combined thev form a 
nor leg. a, coxa; ’ . 
b. trochanter ; c,fe- circular orifice. The object of this appa- 
mur, or thigh; d, . , 
tibia, or shank; e, ratus is to Keep the antennae clean, tor 
f, pianta and stri- the insect, when it wishes to cleanse one 
gdis; g, digitus; h, or £] ie other of them, lavs it within this 
or cushion. sinus of the palma, and then, pressing the 
