66 INSECTS. 



segments are fitted together, and IIOAV great freedom of 

 movement is secured by this arrangement. 



At the posterior end of the abdomen the slender point 

 of the sting may be seen protruding. Seize it with for- 

 ceps, and pull it out full length. Examine with low 

 power. Observe that it is hollow. Find the poison 

 glands at its base. The sting itself makes but a slight 

 puncture, which would hardly be noticed by the larger 

 animals were it not for the poison poured from these 

 glands into the wound. These, together with the great 

 mobility secured by the structure of the abdominal seg- 

 ments already noticed, make it a formidable weapon of 

 defense. 



Development. The development of the bumblebee may 

 be studied throughout in a single well-stocked nest. Find 

 a bumblebees' nest, and take it with all its occupants. 

 This will not be hard to do in summer or autumn. Two 

 methods are recommended : 



1. Having located the nest, go out for it after sunset or 

 before sunrise, when all its inhabitants are "indoors." 

 Pour chloroform or ether into the nest. Wait a moment 

 for the bees to become stupefied. Then take up the nest 

 entire, keeping the chloroform or ether at hand, ready to 

 be dashed into the nest should the first not have been 

 sufficient. But little of it will be required, if judi- 

 ciously administered. Care should be exercised, in taking 

 up the nest, to keep it in good shape for further study 

 of its structure and arrangement. 



2. Another method, and one by which the nest may 

 be taken during the day, is the following : Set a clean 

 jug, uncorked and with some water in it, close by the 

 nest. Then disturb the nest (if possible, without injuring 

 its structure), and retire to a good place from which to 

 watch. The bumblebees will attack the jug, and then 



