60 



AUSTRALASIAN 



lancets, at the point D, it will be seen how the two hollow 

 lancets, A and B, slide on ribs or guides in the concave side of 

 the so-called sheath, D. They have tubes, F and G, through 

 which, as well as through the tube E, formed between the three 

 parts of the sting, the poisonous fluid is transmitted. There is 

 a hollow, c, in the awl or sheath, D, but it is only for strength 

 and lightness, and is not open either above or below. In the 



Kg.. 17,— THE BEE STING. 



I. Bee sting, magnified. 



II. One of the barbed lancets. 



III. Cross section of lancets at D. 



IV. Drop of the poison, crystallised. 



barbed lancets, the end of one of which is shown, greatly mag- 

 nified, there are grooves, G, to fit on the ribs of the sheath, and 



