Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/299
Scientific nameApidae
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
DescriptionThe heads of two large bees and two small bees, with the mouth parts displayed in each species from both above and below.
The positions of the mouth parts illustrate how they form a tube within which the tongue is free to move to feed.
Production date Estimated 1760 - Estimated 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Related objectsRCSHC/297RCSHC/298RCSHC/1439RCSHC/1440
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 5: Earl's Court
Physical Information
Physical descriptionWet preparation of tissue mounted in an oval glass jar with glass lid. 175mm h x 83mm w x 50mm d, 878g.
Materialglass (material)
Insecta
Dimensions
whole height: 175 mm
whole width: 83 mm
whole depth: 50 mm
whole weight: 878 g
whole width: 83 mm
whole depth: 50 mm
whole weight: 878 g
Bibliography
SourceDobson 1970-71
Transcript299: Two heads of a large Bee and two of a smaller species with the mouth parts displayed on a slip of ivory. The left specimen shows the parts from above; the labrum has been removed and the mandibles and maxillae spread slightly to either side to show the tongue emerging from the mass of the labium that lies between them. The right specimen shows the same parts from below. It is apparent from these two specimens that the maxillae, labium and labial palps when opposed form a tube within which the tongue is free to move in and out. Hunter's description of the mouth parts of the Bee: 'The tongue of the bee is the first of the alimentary organs to be considered: it is of a peculiar structure, and is probably the largest tongue of any animal we know, for its size. It may be said to consist of three parts respecting its length, having three articulations. One, its articulation with the head, which is in some measure similar to our larynx (mentum). Then comes the body of the tongue, which is composed of two parts; one, a kind of base (labium), on which the other, or true tongue (lingua) is articulated. The first part (labium) is principally a horny substance, in which there is a groove, and it is articulated with the first or larynx (mentum); on the end of this is fixed the true tongue, with its different parts. These two parts of the tongue are as it were inclosed laterally by two horny scales (maxillae), one on each side, which are concave on that side next to the tongue; one edge is thicker than the other, and they do not extend so far as the other parts. Each of these scales is com- posed of two parts, or scales, respecting its length, one articulated with the other: the first of these scales (cardo) is articulated with the common base, at the articulation of the first part of the tongue, and incloses laterally the second part of the tongue, coming as far forwards as the third articulation: on the end of this is articulated the second scale (lobus), which continues the hollow groove that incloses the tongue laterally; this terminates in a point. These scales have some hairs on their edge. 'On the termination of the second part is placed the true tongue, having two lateral portions or processes on each side, one within the other; the external (palpus labialis) is the largest, and is somewhat similar to the before- mentioned scales. This is composed of four parts or rather of one large part, on which three smaller are articulated, having motion on themselves. The first, on which the others stand, is articulated at the edges of the tongue, on the basis or termination of the last-described part of the tongue; this has hairs on its edge. 'A little further forwards on the edges of the tongue are two small thin processes (paraglossae), so small as hardly to be seen with the naked eye. The middle part of all, of which these lateral parts are only appendages, is the true tongue (lingua). It is something longer than any of the before-mentioned lateral portions, and is not horny as the other parts are, but what may be called fleshy, being soft and pliable. It is composed of short sections, which probably are so many short muscles, as in fish, for they are capable of moving it in all directions. The tongue itself is extremely villous, having some very long villi at the point, which act, I conceive, somewhat like capillary tubes. 'This whole apparatus can be folded up, into a very small compass, under the head and neck. The larynx falls back into the neck, which brings the extreme end of the first portion of the tongue within the upper lip, or behind the two teeth; then the whole of the second part, which consists of five parts, is bent down upon and under this first part, and the two last scales are also bent down over the whole, so that the true tongue is inclosed laterally by the two second horny scales, and over the whole lie the two first.' Observations on Bees, Works, vol. iv, pp, 455-456,
SourceHunter 'Works'
Vol. 4, pages 455-456.
TranscriptThe tongue of a bee is the first of the alimentary organs to be considered: it is of a peculiar structure, and is probably the largest tongue of any animal we know, for its size. It may be said to consist of three parts respecting its length, having three articulations. One, its articulation with the head, which is in some measure similar to our larynx (mentum). Then comes the body of the tongue, which is composed of two parts; one, a kind of base (labium), on which the other, or true tongue (lingua), is articulated. The first part (labium) is principally a horny substance, in which there is a groove, and it is articulated with the first or larynx (mentum); on the end of this is fixed the true tongue, with its different parts. These two parts of the tongue are as it were inclosed laterally by two horny scales (maxillae), one on each side, which are concave on that side next to the tongue; one edge is thicker than the other, and they do not extend so far as the other parts. Each of these scales is composed of two parts, or scales, respecting its length, one articulated with the other: the first of those scales (cardo) is articulated with the common base, at the articulation of the first part of the tongue, and incloses laterally the second part of the tongue, coming as far forwards as the third articulation: on the end of this is articulated the second scale (lobud), which continues the hollow groove that incloses the tongue laterally; this terminates in a point. These scales have some hairs on their edge.
‘On the termination of the second part is placed the true tongue, having two lateral portions or processes on each side, one within the other: the external (palpus labialis) is the largest, and is somewhat similar to the before mentioned scales. This is composed of four parts, or rather one large part, on which three smaller are articulated, having motion on themselves. The first, on which the others stand, is articulated at the edges of the tongue; this has hairs on its edge.
‘A little further forwards on the edges of the tongue are two small thin processes (paraglossae), so small and hardly to be seen with the naked eye. The middle part of all, of which these lateral parts are only appendages, is the true tongue (lingua). It is something longer than any of the before-mentioned lateral portions, and is not horny as the other parts are, but what may be called fleshy, being soft and pliable. It is composed of short sectioned which probably are so many short muscles, as in fish, for they are extremely villous, having some very long villi at the point, which act, I conceive, somewhat like capillary tubes.
‘This whole apparatus can be folded up, into a very small compass, under the head and neck. The larynx falls back into the neck, which brings the extreme end of the first potion of the tongue within the upper lip, or behind the two teeth; then the whole of the second part, which consists of five parts, is bent down over the whole, so that the true tongue is enclosed laterally by the two second horny scales, and over the whole lie the two first.
