that the nervous system is also informed, and has a controlling 

 interest in all sting operations. Although the brain is linked through 

 the nerves to this organ, it is problematical as to how much actual 

 control is vested in it directly. Owing to the muscular action of the 

 sting being reflex, this duty is probably entrusted to the fifth ab- 

 dominal independent nerve centre or ganglion, located at the end 

 of the main nervous column. (The fourth ganglion in the case of 

 the queen.) 



In the position of repose, the sting and the palpi, which will be 

 described later, are housed within a cavity known as the sting cham- 

 ber, in the tip of the abdomen and are projected through the opening 

 in its extremity when brought into action. The anus or bowel 

 opening of the intestines also terminates at the same place, and the 

 tubule forming these organs lies alongside the sting, but is not con- 

 nected to it except by membranes further inside, so that the latter is 

 able to operate freely. 



The worker's sting, which is about 1/1 6th of an inch long, is 

 very loosely attached by membranes to the inside walls of the 

 abdominal tip within the sting chamber (see Fig. 3), and is therefore 

 quite easily torn out. When the sting is driven into a firm substance, 

 such as human flesh, the barbs on the tip of the sting anchor it, and 

 if the bee is hurriedly brushed aside, as most people do to it when 

 stung, the unfortunate bee is knocked off her sting, which remains 

 behind firmly embedded in flesh. As the membranes surrounding the 

 basal end of the sting also enfold the end portion of the intestinal 

 canal or the lower part of the bowels, the latter are easily severed, 

 and the sting, together with the poison sac and glands, as well as 

 part of the bowels themselves, are all rudely torn away from the 

 sting chamber in the tip of the abdomen. As might be expected, 

 this grievous wound to the bee is fatal, and the unfortunate creature 

 languishes for a while before finally dying of her wounds. 



Thus it is not true to say that because a bee stings, she thereby 

 forfeits her life. That this is not so may easily be demonstrated by 

 allowing a bee whose sting has been plunged into human flesh, 

 such as the back of the hand, to remain undisturbed. Occasionally 

 the shock of finding herself firmly anchored is too much for her and 

 she makes frantic endeavours to get away. The membranes of the 

 sting organs are so loosely attached, that they become ruptured by 

 her struggles, and she drags herself to liberty at the ultimate expense 

 of her fife. 



Generally, however, the bee that finds herself in this predica- 

 ment is not quite so rash, and she makes efforts to liberate the em- 

 bedded organ. This she achieves by turning and twisting her body 

 so that the sting is loosened in the wound, and eventually permits 

 the bee to withdraw her sting intact and fly away unharmed to 

 use her weapon again another day. 



Sometimes, however, the enemy into which she has plunged her 

 weapon may have a scaly or horny skin, such as another bee. 

 Although she may have slain her adversary by a skilful thrust into 



14 



