explains why, as mentioned earlier, an older queen is usually un- 

 able to inflict a mortal wound on a more youthful adversary, although 

 this is not always the case and occasionally age triumphs over 

 youth. 



The venom as it emerges from the worker's sting is quite clear 

 and colourless, possesses a pungent odour, and has an acid 

 reaction. The amount actually injected is very variable, as for one 

 thing it depends on how long the sting is in action, and the time left 

 in the wound. In any case it is exceedingly minute and is probably 

 less than one ten-thousandth part of an ounce. That so small an 

 injection can have such a severe eifect on the human body is a 

 measure of its potency. 



The Palpi Sense Organs 



In conclusion reference must be made to the so-called palpi 

 sense organs. Primarily they consist of two extending objects 

 resembUng a couple of hairy tails attached to the oblong plates and 

 in the position of repose they lie snugly in place alongside the sheath, 

 acting as a kind of scabbard to the latter. 



The extremities are equipped with sensory hairs, and according 

 to a number of well-known experts, past and present, these organs 

 are used by the bee to ascertain the nature of the surface to be stung 

 before using her sting on a hard object. Having satisfied herself 

 as to its vulnerabiUty she then proceeds to bring her sting into 

 action as described. 



In point of fact no such process takes place, as a careful examina- 

 tion of the bee's sting in action will clearly reveal. Moreover, it is 

 common knowledge that an infuriated bee will attack instantly. ' 

 There is no question of stopping to investigate the suitability of the 

 surface, and angry bees have often been observed to attempt stinging 

 such unyielding material as the nozzle of a smoker. 



In seeking an explanation of these facts one must go back to 

 Nature and remember that in the case of the queen she is a fully 

 developed female of the species. So she uses her sting principally 

 as an ovipositor employing the sting palpi hke two hairy fingers 

 that grip the egg and impel it forward and down the shaft of the sting 

 towards the base of the cell as mentioned earUer. 



Because the worker is not a perfect female her sex organs are 

 atrophied, and the need to use her sting as an ovipositor has waned 

 in favour of developing this organ as a weapon of defence. It is 

 a natural corollary therefore that the use of the palpi in egg laying 

 has also become redundant and they have in consequence no doubt 

 degenerated. 



It should not be thought that because the bee does not use her 

 palpi to determine the suitability or otherwise of an object to be 

 attacked, that she is therefore in ignorance of the nature of the 

 material upon which she stands. The hardness or quality of surfaces 

 is indicated to the bee through the legs, and the fore-tarsus, or foot, 



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