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, p. 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 1s 
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 
“4 Ye iN 
x 
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Fig. 17,_THE BEE STING, 
I. Bee sting, magnified. 
Il. One of the barbed lancets. 
III. Cross section of lancets at p. 
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 
