THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



A STING IS WORSE FOR THE STINGER THAN THE STUNG 



The bee inserts its tiny harpoon in tlie flesh (1) so firmly tliat when attempting to withdraw it 

 (2 and 3) the barb is severed from its body, tearing its delicate tissues and killing the bee. After a bee 

 stings, scrape out the still throbbing stinger (4); pulling it forces more poison into the wound. 



) National Geographic Society " Paintings by Hashime Murayaraa 



ONCE A BEE HAS DRUNK AT A POOL, IT RETURNS AGAIN AND AGAIN 

 Honeybees consume quantities of water, as do cows, for the^y must supply water and the creamy 

 secretion called " royal jelly " on which are fed the queen and larvae during brood rearing. Honeybees 

 always attend strictly to business while drinking, and will not attempt to sting unless molested. 



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