04 ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE 



into the tissues, by means of another's sting, death 

 follows. When the honey-bee stings the human flesh 

 the sting generally remains, and the bee, if not killed 

 before, dies on account of the wound caused by the 

 tearing away of the organs connected with the sting. 

 This sting, then, is not so much for the protection of 

 the individual as for the defense of the home and its 



FIG. 45. "Bags" of the bag-worm moth larva, made of closely woven web 

 covered by bits of sticks. The larva weaves the "bag" as it travels, for protec- 

 tion. The male emerges as a moth. The female spends her life as a grub-like 

 form in her "bag." 



sacred treasures ; true patriots, these bees. Not so 

 with the wasps and hornets : they sting repeatedly 

 without endangering their own lives. 



" The sting is composed of two spears of a polished, 

 chestnut-colored horny substance, which, supported by 

 the sheath, make a very sharp weapon. In the act of 

 stinging, the spears emerge from the sheath, about two- 

 thirds of their length. Between them and on each 

 side of them is a small groove, through which the liquid, 

 coming from the poison-sack, is ejected into the wound. 



" Each spear of the sting has about nine barbs, which 



