INSECTS. HYMENOPTERA. 



313 



when roving about from flower to flower. The proboscis itself (fig. 

 145) is very curiously divided ; the divisions are elegant and regular, 

 beset with triangular hairs ; and being numerous, appear at first sight 



fig. 144. 

 1. Sting ofWasp. 2. Sting of Bee. 

 The small circle encloses tte object of the natural size. 



as a number of different articulations. The two exterior lancets are 

 spear-shaped, and of a membranaceous or horny substance set on one 

 side with short hairs, and having their interior hollow ; at the base of 

 each is a hinge-articulation, permitting considerable motion in several 

 directions ; evidently used by the little busy insect for the purpose of 

 distending the internal parts of flowers, and thus facilitating the intro- 



