VENOMS IN THE ANIMAL SERIES 285 



This lecithide of bee-venom is from 200 to 500 times more 

 heemolysing than the venom itself, and resists ebullition like that of 

 the cobra. In order to isolate it Morgenroth and Carpi employed 

 the method recommended by P. Kyes : l^- c.c. of a solution of pure 

 venom is mixed with 1^ c.c. of a 5 per cent, solution of lecithin 

 in methylic alcohol. After being kept for twenty-four hours at 

 37° C, 22 c.c. of absolute alcohol are added ; the liquid is decanted, 

 and the clear filtrate is mixed with 150 c.c. of ether. There is slowly 

 formed a somewhat copious flocculent deposit, which is collected 

 on a filter, washed several times with ether, and finally dried. The 

 lecithide that remains on the filter dissolves completely in physio- 

 logical salt solution. 



It must be remarked that bee-venom, without the addition of 

 lecithin, gives a scanty precipitate with ether. This precipitate, 

 dissolved in physiological salt solution, possesses no hsemolysing 

 power. The lecithide, on the contrary, dissolves red corpuscles 

 almost instantaneously. 



Normal horse-serum considerably inhibits haemolysis by bee- 

 venom + lecithin. This protective action of normal serums has 

 already been observed by Langer ; it is perhaps attributable to 

 the cholesterin that they contain. 



Among other Hymenoptera capable of inflicting very severe 

 stings may be mentioned the species of Polistes and certain 

 Pompilids, especially a species of Pompilus found in Natal, the 

 painful stings of which have sometimes been experienced and 

 described by travellers (P. Fabre, of Commentry).^ 



In the family Crahronidce the females are provided with a 

 sting and venom, which usually has little effect upon man, but 

 is toxic to other insects. Thus, Cerceris bupresticida is remarkable 

 for the stupefying effect of its venom upon the Buprestida destined 

 for the food of its larvae. It stings the beetles between the first 

 and second segments of the thorax, with the result that the victim 



' Gomptes rendus de I'Academie de Medecine, t. liii., 1905, p. 498. 



