Structure of the legs of the Bee for carrying propolis and pollen, magnified.
Besides carrying this dust, they also carry what is called propolis."
"What is propolis, Uncle Philip?"
"It is a gum which is found upon some trees. This they work up into little balls, and knead it until it is a little dry, so as not to stick. This takes the bee sometimes as much as half an hour. When the balls are ready, she passes them backwards with her feet to the basket, puts them in, and gives them a pat or two to make them lie close; and when she adds more, she pats it still harder, and when the basket is full, away she goes to the hive. But there is another curious instrument about the bee. I mean its sting: this is like the head of a barbed or bearded arrow. There is a sheath for it when the bee does not wish to use it; and here is a picture of it.
a, The sting of a Bee, magnified to show the barbed darts; b, the last ring of the abdomen of a Bee opened, showing the sting in its sheath.
But let us now continue our walk."
"Well, Uncle Philip, it is really very pleasant to walk with you: it seems as if you met nothing which could not teach us things worth knowing."