INSECT WEAPONS AND TOOLS 197 



beneath, and this peculiar habit of living upside 

 down thus assists it in this method of assault. The 

 shark of the ocean is much more clumsy, because 

 he swims right side up and has to turn over to 

 catch his prey, and while he is turning it often 

 escapes. 



A discourse upon insect weapons would not be 



Fig. 130. Fep.thered oar o c water-boatman 



complete without considering at least one insect 

 sting ; so we will look at the illustration Fig. 131, 

 in which I have dissected out the poison bag and 

 sting of the common wasp. The poison bag is 

 seen above, being a reservoir of formic acid, 

 which the insect uses when angry. The two 

 stings are removed from the sheath, that is the 

 dark-coloured organ which may be seen beneath. 

 If the sharp ends of the stings are carefully 

 observed they will be seen to possess a row of 

 minute teeth or barbs. 



Thus it will be seen that insects, like human 

 beings, carry cutting weapons and wear them for 



