Manual of the apiary

by Albert John Cook

The labium ([Fig, 15]) is not described by the name under lip, as its base forms the floor of the mouth, and its tip the tongue. The base is usually broad, and is called the mentum, and from this extends the tongue ([Fig. 15, a]) or ligula. On either side, near the junction of the ligula and mentum, arises a jointed organ rarely absent, called the labial palpus ([Fig. 6, k k]), or, together, the labial palpi. Just within the angle formed by these latter and the ligula arise the paraglossæ ([Fig. 15, d]), one on either side. These are often wanting.

Fig. 6.

o—Epicranium e e—Compound eyes. a a—Antennæ, c—Clypeus. l—Labrum.

m—Jaws. m x—2d Jaws. k k—Labial palpi, t—Ligula.

The jaws or mandibles ([Fig, 6, m, m]) arise one on either side just below and at the side of the labrum, or upper lip. These work sidewise instead of up and down as in higher animals, are frequently very hard and sharp, and sometimes armed with one or more teeth. A rudimentary tooth ([Fig, 21, b]) is visible on the jaws of drone and queen bees.

Beneath the jaws or mandibles, and inserted a little farther back, are the second jaws or maxillæ ([Fig. 6, m x]), less dense and firm than the mandibles, but far more complex. They arise by a small joint, the cardo, next this is a larger joint, the stipes, from this extends on the inside the broad lacinia ([Fig, 20, c]) or blade, usually fringed with hairs on its inner edge, towards the mouth; while on the outside of the stipes are inserted the—from one to several jointed—maxillary palpi. In bees these are very small, and consist of two joints, and in some insects are wholly wanting. Sometimes, as in some of the beetles, there is a third member running from the stipes between the palpus and lacinia called the galea. The maxillæ also move sidewise, and probably aid in holding and turning the food while it is crushed by the harder jaws, though in some cases they, too, aid in triturating the food.

These mouth parts are very variable in form in different insects. In butterflies and moths, two-wing flies and bugs, they are transformed into a tube, which in the last two groups forms a hard, strong beak or piercer, well exemplified in the mosquito and bed-bug. In all the other insects we find them much as in the bees, with the separate parts varying greatly in form, to agree with the habits and character of their possessors. No wonder DeGeer and Fabricius detected these varying forms as strongly indicative of the nature of the insect, and no wonder, too, that in their use they were so successful in forming a natural classification.

Every apiarist will receive great benefit by dissecting these parts and studying their form and relations for himself. By getting his children interested in the same, he will have conferred upon them one of the rarest of blessings.

To dissect these parts, first remove the head and carefully pin it to a cork, passing the pin through, well back between the eyes. Now separate the parts by two needle points, made by inserting a needle for half its length into a pine stick the shape of a pipe-stem, leaving the point projecting for an inch or more. With one of these in each hand commence operations. The head may be either side up. Much may be learned in dissecting large insects, even with no glass; but in all cases, and especially in small insects, a good lens will be of great value. The best lens is one of Tolles', sold by Mr. Stoddard, of the Boston optical works. These are very excellent and thus high priced, costing $14.00. Gray's triplet hand-lenses are very good, are cheap, and can be procured for about $2.00 of any optician. The handle should have a hole through it to permit of mounting it above the object, so that it will hold itself. Tolles' lenses are easily mounted, in a stand which any one can contrive and make in twenty minutes. I value my Tolles' lens even more highly than my large compound microscope, which cost $150. Were I obliged to part with either, the latter would go.

I require my students to do a great deal of dissecting, which they enjoy very much and find very valuable. I would much rather that my boy would become interested in such study, than to have him possessor of infinite gold rings, or even a huge gold watch, with a tremendous charm. Let such pleasing recreation gain the attention of our boys, and they will ever contribute to our delight, and not sadden us with anxiety and fear.