90 



Sting of the Bee. 



acid fluid, -wliich is secreted by a double gland, and stored in 

 a muscular sack (Fig. 28, (7), which is about the size of a flax- 

 seed. This sack is connected by a tube (Fig. 28, if) with the 

 reservoir of the sting. The sting is a triple organ consisting 

 of three sharp hollow spears, which are very smooth and of 

 exquisite polish. If we magnify the most beautifully wrought 



Fig. 28. 



Sting with Lancets drawn one side, cross-section of Sting, and a 

 Lancet, much magnified. 



O—Poison Back. 



A— Awl. 



TJ, u— Baxbs. 



I, I— Hollows in lancets. 



T'— Groove in lancet. 



M— Tube from sack to reservoir, s— Reservoir. 

 B, B -Itanceta. E,B— Valves., 



o, o— Openings from hollow in H— Hollow in awl. 

 lancets. T, t— Bidges in awl. 



steel instrument, it looks rough and unfinished; while the 

 parts of the sting, however highly magnified, are smooth and 

 perfect. The true relation of the three parts of the sting was 

 accurately described by Mr. J. R. Bledsoe, in the American 



