GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 33 
ceases ag suddenly. In a queenless hive, the sound is doleful, 
lasts longer and at times increases in force. When bees swarm, 
the tune is clear and gay, showing manifest happiness.’’—(Cttl- 
Klauss, 1836.) : 
77. The German pastor Stahala has published a very 
complete study on the language of bees, which has appeared 
in some of the bee-papers of Italy, France and America. 
We do not consider it as altogether accurate; but there are 
some Sounds described that all bee-keepers ought to study, 
especially the doleful wail of colonies which have lost their 
queen, and have no means of rearing another. 
78. Tur Stinc.—The sting of the bee, a terror to so 
many, is indispensable to her preservation. Without it, 
the attraction, which honey presents to man and animals, 
must have caused the complete destruction of this precious 
insect, years ago. 
79. This organ is composed, Jst, of a whitish vesicle, or 
poison sack, about the size of a small mustard seed, located 
in the abdomen, in which the venomous liquid is stored 
This liquid is elaborated in two long canals, similar in ap- 
pearance to the Malpighian tubes, each of which is termin- 
ated at its upper extremity, by a small round bag or en- 
largement. It is similar to formic acid, although perhaps 
more poisonous. 
80. 2d, In the last ring of the abdomen, and connected 
with the poison sack, is a firm and sharp sheath, open in its 
whole length, which supports the sting proper, and acts in- 
dependently of it. The bee can force this sheath out of 
the abdomen, or draw it in, at will. 
81. 3d, The sting is composed of two spears of a pol- 
ished, chestnut-colored, horny substance, which, supported 
by the sheath, make a very sharp weapon. In the act of 
stinging, the spears emerge from the sheath, about two- 
thirds of their length. Between them and on each of them, 
is asmall groove, through which the liquid, coming from 
the poison sack, is ejected into the wound. 
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