AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



23 



same time the centre cavity is closed by valves at the 

 root of the sting, and the poison 13 forced through the 

 tubes in the hollow lancets, and through the side 

 openings near the barbs. The barbs having once 



fiqE 



Fig. 10. THE BEE STING. 



i. Bee sting, magnified, 

 a. One of the barbed lancets. 

 Hi. Cross section of lancets at D. 

 iv. Drop of the -poison, crystallised. 



penetrated any tough material, such as the human 

 skin, cannot be vi^ithdrawn by a direct pull. The bee, 

 if left to itself, will gradually work round and round 



