522 THE WOOD-PIERCING BEE. 



exception to the universal benevolence and wisdom of nature, is, in 

 reality, a most merciful effort of instinct. 



Like the male Honey-bees, the male Wasps are destitute of stings, 

 but the females and neuters have stings, the poisonous liquor of which, 

 when introduced into any part of the human body, excites inflamma- 

 tion, and creates a considerable degree of pain. Their sting consists 

 of a hollow and very sharp-pointed tube, having at its root a bag of 

 pungent juice, which, in the act of stinging, is pressed out, and 

 conveyed through the tube into the flesh. There are also two small, 

 sharp, and bearded spears, lying, as in a sheath, within the tube. Dr. 

 Derham counted, on the side of each spear, eight beards, which, he 

 says, were formed somewhat like the beards of fish-hooks. These 

 spears lie one with its points a little before the other in the sheath, to 

 be ready, in all probability, to be first darted into the flesh ; where, 

 being once fixed, by means of its foremost beard, the other then 

 strikes in also ; and, in this manner, they alternately pierce deeper and 

 deeper, their beards taking more and more hold in the flesh ; after 

 which the sting or sheath follows, in order to convey the poison into 

 the wound. 



OF THE BEES IN GENERAL. 



THESE insects are very numerous, and differ considerably in theii 

 h&bits. Some of the species are found in extensive communities^ 

 which construct, with the utmost art, cells for their offspring, and 

 repositories for their food ; while others both dwell and work in soli- 

 tude. The whole tnbe live on the uectur of flowers, and on ripe 

 fiuit. 



Their larvae are soft and without feet, and the chrysalis resembles 

 the perfect insect. 



THE WOOD-PIERCIXG BEE. 



The operations of the Wood -piercers merit our careful attention. 

 In the spring of the year they frequent gardens, and search for rotten, 

 or at least for dead wood, in order to make a habitation for their 

 young-ones. They usually choose the decaying uprights of arbors, 

 espaliers, or the props of vines; but they will sometime attack garden- 

 seats, thick doors and window- shutters. 



When the female of this species, (for in her operation she receives 

 no assistance from the male,) has selected some old wooden post suited 

 to her purpose, she begins her work by boring perpendicularly into 

 it; when she has advanced about half an inch, she changes her direc- 

 tion, and then proceeds nearly parallel with its sides, for twelve or 

 fifteen inches, making the hollow about half an inch in diameter. If 

 the wood be sufficiently thick, she sometimes forms three or four of 

 these long holes in its interior; a labor, which, for a single insect, 



