INSECTS : STINGS AND OVIPOSITORS. 



127 



is the secreting organ : here the venom is prepared ; the 

 remainder of the tube is 

 a duct for conveying it to 

 the bag, a reservoir in which 

 it is stored for the moment 

 of use. By means of the 

 neck it is thrown into the 

 groove at the moment the 

 sting is projected ; the same 

 muscles, probably, that dart 

 forward the weapon com- 

 pressing the poison-bag, and 

 causing it to pour forth its 

 contents into the groove, 

 whence it passes on between 

 the two lancets into the 

 wound which they have 

 made.* 



A modification of this ap- 

 paratus is found through- 

 out a very extensive order 

 of Insects, — the Hymeno- 

 ptera ; but in the majority of 

 cases it is not connected 

 with purposes of warfare. 

 Wherever it occurs it is 

 always confinedto the female 

 sex, or (as in the case of 

 some social insects) to the 

 neuters, which are unde- 

 veloped females. When it 

 is not accompanied by a 

 poison - reservoir it is used 



* Some further researches of value on the stings of Wasps and 

 with copious illustrations, will be found in Hardwicke's Science 

 for 1868, p. 148, by Dr. Mills, p. 205, by " S. S.," and for 1873, p. 132, 

 by Mr. Nisbett Browne. 



STIKG OF BEE. 



a. Tip of Lancet, more enlarged. 



