HONEY BEE. 261 
touch each other are smooth, while the 
outer ed£:e of each is harbed, like a dart 
or arrow. 
hucy. Yes, mamma, I know the 
shape of an arrow. I understand the 
bee can easily push the sting in, but 
cannot pull it back. 
Mother, These two stings move al- 
ternately ; the first that is forced in, 
catches the flesh by its barbed point ; the 
second sting is then pressed forwards be- 
yond the first, and, hooking the flesh, 
keeps a firm hold, till the first sting has 
again passed it, and, entering still farther, 
has caught a deeper hold : in this alter- 
nate manner they move, till the whole sting 
is buried in the flesh, to its full length. 
The bee then discharges into the wound 
a drop of liquid from a little bag, placed 
at the root of the stin^; and it is this 
venomous liquid that occasions the in- 
flammation and swelling, which always 
attend on the sting of a bee. 
Lucy, The little stings, I think, move 
just like the saws of the tenthredo. 
