250 THE STING. 



cells of the honey-combs, whilst the remainder serves 

 for the insect's nourishment, as, during the summer 

 or labouring season, it never touches the store laid 

 by for winter. 



The STING, which serves to defend this little 

 animal from its enemies, is composed of three parts ; 

 the sheath and two darts, which are extremely small 

 and penetrating. These darts have several small 

 points, or barbs, like those of a fish-hook, which 

 render the sting more painful, the darts rankling in 

 the wound. Still, however, the infliction from such 

 an instrument would be very slight, had not the 

 bee power to poison the wound. The sheath, which 

 has a sharp point, makes the first impression, the 

 darts act next, after which the venomous fluid is 

 infused. The sheath sometimes urged, perhaps, by 

 the degree of excitement in the insect, sticks so fast 

 in the wound, that it is left behind, and causes more 

 permanent inflammation. The bee, in consequence, 

 soon after dies, from an eruption of the intestines. 



It might, on first consideration, appear well for 

 mankind, if the bee had not the power of inflicting 

 such wounds, but on farther reflection, it will be 

 found, that the little animal would have too many 

 rivals in sharing the profits of its labours. Nu- 

 merous other animals, fond of honey, and of obtain- 

 ing it free cost, would intrude upon the sweets of 

 the hive, without armed guardians for its protection. 

 The venom of the insects appears to be an original 

 material in their composition, imparted to them by 

 nature, for the purposes of defence or revenge, and 

 not formed like honey, the ingredients of which are 

 collected from without. 



