126 The Honey-Makers 



provoked to use her weapon, which is as well her ovipositor, 

 or egg-laying instrument, and which she will not run the 

 risk of losing. It is larger than that of the worker, but is 

 straight instead of curved, and but slightly barbed. Her 

 poison-sac is small and less developed. 



Aristode knew of the queen's sting and tells us, — " the 

 kings and rulers have a sting which they do not make use 

 of, and some persons suppose they have none." 



Butler says : — 



" The spear she has is borne rather for show and author- 

 ity than for any other use. For it belongeth to her subjects 

 as well to fight for her as to provide for her." 



Senepa, on the contrary, informs us that " their king hath 

 no sting," and proceeds gravely to give us the reason: 

 " Nature would not have him cruel nor to seek revenge 

 that might hazard his life, therefore took away his weapon 

 and disarmed his wrath." 



He moralizes further : — 



" All kings a«d princes ought to consider this excellent 

 example." And would have a man's wrath, like a worker- 

 bee's, "broken with his own weapon and have no more 

 means to hurt than once in his Hfe." 



Virgil's account of a battle in the kingdom of bees is 

 more spirited than true, as in reality the bees do not help 

 the queen, but stand eager spectators, ready to carry out 

 the body of the slain and pay homage to the victor. 



" A voice is heard resembling the broken sounds of trum- 

 pets. Then in a hurry they assemble, quiver with their 

 wings, sharpen their stings upon their beaks, prepare their 

 sinews, crowd thick around their king and to his pavilion, 

 and with loud hummings challenge the foe." 



" The kings themselves, amidst the hosts, distinguished by 

 their wings, exert mighty souls in little bodies, obstinately 

 determined not to yield till the dread victor has compelled 

 either these or those to turn their backs in flight." 



