126 THE HONEY-BEE. 



of the surrounding parts. So powerful is the action 

 of the irritant, that numerous cases are on record of 

 death ensuing through its influence. We are, how- 

 ever, bound to say that, by many authorities, such 

 fatal consequences are considered to result from 

 syncope produced by fright, rather than from the 

 direct effect of the poison on the nervous system. 



FIG. 41. BARBS OF A BEE'S STING, VERY HIGHLY MAGNIFIED. 



Still, there is no doubt of the very formidable nature 

 of the liquid, as may be generally seen in the amount 

 of swelling and discomfort caused by the exceed- 

 ingly minute portion injected by the sting of a 

 bee. 



The poison is secreted by tiny glands, from which 

 it is conveyed, by tubes or ducts, into the reservoir, 

 where it is stored ready for use. Chemically, the 



