394 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



like so many hoops, by their edges. In conse- 

 quence of this mode of structure it is often very 

 movable, and may even be bent into a half curve, 

 in various directions, at the pleasure of the insect. 

 The common earwig is particularly gifted with 

 this movableness of its abdomen ; and so are many 

 insects which carry weapons of offence or defence 

 in their tails. These organs, or appendages, are 

 deserving of a brief notice, although it is probable 

 that the structure of some of them is already fami- 

 liar to most readers. 



The sting of the bee is, perhaps, as formidable a 

 weapon as any of those attached to the abdomen 

 in insects ; under the microscope the structure of 

 this apparatus appears in all its beauty. It is 

 found to consist of a sort of sheath, or scabbard, 

 which is composed of two pieces, and is of extreme 

 fineness, as will be readily made visible by placing 

 a fine sewing needle by its side, when the latter 

 will more resemble a bar of iron from the smith's 

 forge, or a kitchen poker, than anything else; while 

 the former will, under the strongest magnifying 

 power, exhibit a smoothness, elegance, and polish, 

 of the most beautiful description. When the bee 

 thrusts forth its sting, it is the sheath which we 



