120 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
Respiration. Along the sides of the body, between 
the segments and half segments, are a number of small 
openings — the stigmata or spiracles. These are 
connected with larger tubes, the trachege, which run to 
all parts of the body. The bee has neither lungs nor gills— 
it breathes by means of these air-tubes. If the bee be held 
by the wings it will still continue to “hum,” the sound 
being made by the air driven through the spiracles causing 
the rapid vibration of minute plates in these openings. 
From the sides of the 
spiracles a number of small 
hairs grow inwards, to 
prevent particles of dust 
from entering. This de- 
scription will show why an 
insect dies so quickly if 
immersed in a sticky fluid, 
or exposed to the effects 
aes of a poisonous gas—in the 
Fig. 79.- Honey Boe former case the breathing 
holes become clogged, and 
in the latter the gas is rapidly drawn to every part of 
its body. 
The two large compound eyes are easily seen—the three 
simple eyes are situated between these. 
The two antennae, or feelers, which are characteristic 
of all insects, are carried by the front portion of the head. 
In these lies the organ of smell, which is so keen that Bees 
can not only discover the flowers from which they obtain 
honey, but are also enabled to recognise members of their 
own hive. | 
Gathering Food. The whole process of gathering 
food can and should be observed. On reaching a flower 
the Bee anchors itself by the claws and pad at the ends of 
