326 INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



puncture of a needle, as Swammerdam indeed ascer- 

 tained by experiment ; but in such cases, he care- 

 fully wiped the sting to free it from the poison 

 which it usually carries, and which is the main 

 cause of the pain and swelling of the part stung. 

 This poison is secreted into a bag or bladder, situated 

 near the base of the sting, and communicating 



Poison-bag of the bee attached to the base of the sting ; very greatly 

 magnified. 



with the tube of the sheath. It is moreover fur- 

 nished with a very strong muscle, which twines itself 

 around it, and has its tendon in the middle. When 

 this muscle contracts itself, the poison is thereby 

 forcibly squeezed out, and thrown into the wound, 

 so that the sting may be compared to a small 



