40 
THE HONEY— MAKERS. 
for its propulsion. The wound appears to be first 
made by the sheath, along which the poison passes 
in a little groove ; and the darts, thrust out af- 
terward in quick succession, deepen the wound. 
These darts are furnished with a number of barbs, 
which render it so difficult to withdraw them 
quickly that bees often lose their lives by the 
injury they sustain in the effort. The sting of 
the queen bee is stronger, and consequently is 
not often lost in this way. 
