ORDER HYMENOPTERA: ANTS, BEES, WASPS, ETC. 225 



segmented ovipositor. The Chrysididce lay their eggs in the 

 cells of the fossorial wasps, and their larva devours either 

 the larva of the latter or the paralysed insects that have been 

 laid up for its food. 



iii. Aculeata, or Stinging Hymenoptera. This division 



■ includes the Bees, Wasps, and Ants. The trochanter usually 

 consists of a single piece ; the abdomen is generally composed 

 of 6 visible segments in the female, and 7 in the male ; the 

 females (and the " workers," or sterile females, of the social 

 forms) possess a sting. The sting is a modified ovipositor, 

 although it does not give passage to eggs. It consists, in 

 the bee, of a group of three spines which enclose a channel. 

 The more central of the three is a fixed guide upon which 

 the other two run. The reservoir of the venom gland opens 

 at the base of the guide, and the venom is pumped along the 

 channel aforesaid by the play of the two movable spines. 

 The whole sting is enclosed in a sheath and is retractile. 

 The potency of the venom differs in different species ; and 

 with any given species the hurt of the wound inflicted 

 depends upon the depth to which the sting penetrates, since 

 the deeper it goes the greater is the amount of venom forced 

 along its channel. The venom of bees and wasps not only 

 causes painful local inflammation, but also has general con- 

 stitutional effects. Bee-venom is said to contain toxins that 

 cause paralysis (neurotoxins), as well as toxins that damage 

 the red blood-cells (haemolysins). In the case of a single 

 sting from a casual bee or wasp the local effects are dangerous 

 only when the sting is in some place (mouth, throat, etc.) ; 

 where sudden swelling may obstruct the breathing-passages, 

 and the general effects are alarming only in certain persons 

 who are peculiarly susceptible, and in enfeebled persons. In 

 the case of a number of simultaneous stings, however, the 

 result may be fatal to a strong person free from any idiosyn- 

 crasy, and numerous instances are known of men and large 

 animals rapidly succumbing to the injuries inflicted by a 

 swarm of infuriated bees or wasps ; and it is said that the 

 simultaneous attack of even a few hornets may be fatal to a 

 human being. 



Stings may be treated locally with alkaline lotions 

 (ammonia, or carbonate of soda or potash), oxidising lotions 



P 



