§ IV.] ABDOMEN AND SECRETIVE ORGANS. 105 



The darts are first protruded in the act of stinging, 

 and, by aid of the powerful muscles on each side at s, are 

 buried in the flesh to the depth of one-twelfth of an inch ; 

 the inner sheath then follows, and at the same time, by a 

 muscular contraction, the poison is forced along the 

 groove in which the darts work, causing the well-known 

 painful effects which arise from the sting of a bee. These 

 darts are of slightly unequal length, so that the teeth on 

 each side are not opposite to each other. From this 

 arrangement it is easier for them to penetrate the flesh, 

 and alternately deepen the wound, while the teeth succes- 

 sively hold each firm as it makes its way, until the poison 

 has been ejected. If the sufferer could only command 

 himself so as to remain perfectly passive, the bee might be 

 able to draw in these darts which protrude beyond the 

 sheath, and would then have a chance of withdrawing 

 the sting ; the little insect would consequently inflict less 

 pain, and might perhaps escape paying the penalty of her 

 life. It generally happens, however, that the excitement 

 of both parties is so great, that the poor bee leaves behind 

 the whole apparatus, and even part of her intestines, 

 so that her death is the result, and the wound is more 

 severe. The sting is about the sixth part of an inch 

 long, and is largest at the base. Here are situated the 

 glands or ducts (Fig. 4 «). By these the poison is 

 secreted and passed into the poison-bag (Fig. 4 t), which 

 acts as a reservoir for retaining it till required. 



On the subject of the sting Paley remarks : " The 



