NO. 2 



HONEY BEE — SNODGRASS 



99 



When a bee stings, the initial insertion of the tip of the out-thrust 

 shaft into the skin of the victim is probably effected by a quick 

 movement of the abdomen. The subsequent deeper penetration is the 

 result of the successive alternating movements of the lancets, which 



Fig. Z"^. — Mechanism of the sting. 



A, sting in position of retraction within sting chamber of abdomen. B, sting 

 protracted. C, right half of basal parts of sting, mesal view, shaft partly de- 

 pressed, showing muscles of right side. D, shaft of sting, held in usual position 

 by contraction of ramus muscle (796). E, same in protracted position, shaft 

 depressed on basal hinge with ramus (/;) by contraction of furcular muscle 

 (797). F, diagram of sting and muscles of oblong plate: lancet retracted by 

 contraction of muscle igg. G, same, lancet protracted by contraction of 

 muscle ig8. 



Lettering as on figure 31. 



at each deeper insertion hold their gain by means of recurved barbs 

 on their distal ends. The stylet, after the first jab, passively follows 

 the lancets. The point of the shaft thus automatically goes deeper and 

 deeper into the wound by the action of the lancets, and continues to 



