s0 THE HISTORY OF BEES, 
dart, and Mr, Baker + has obferved the fame number 3 Wi 
that of a Bee. 
-- The mufcles of the fheath are ftrong, by which itea~ 
fily enters the flefh of man or beaft, r 
From the whole it is plain, that what appears susie 
forth from the body of the Bee, is not properly the'fting, 
‘but only the fheath wherein itis inclofed. And it is ea+ 
fy to tell when the infe& fhoots forth this inftrument, 
(tho’ neither feen nor felt) merely by the fmell, which 
‘is not in the leaft difagreeable. 
Frequently I have obferved, when the infe@ hath fhot 
forth this part, with an intention of revenge, or in it’s 
“own neceflary defence, at, or near it’s extremity, a little 
“drop of that poifon, which upon the firft pun@ure infi- 
nuates itfelf into the wound. Whence it is not unrea- 
fonable to conclude, this alone, piercing or penetrating 
the fkin and flefh, is fufficient to inject the faid poifon, 
without the affiftance of the two darts; yet thefe may 
be inftrumental in fixing it fafter in the flefh ; as I have 
“oft beheld it, when tore off from the body of the Bee, 
working itfelf ftill deeper into the wound. 
Thus have we (tho’ very imperfeCtly) viewed their 
principal parts; the feveral organs, or implements, ‘na- 
gure has furnifhed them withal, for their fubfiftence and 
defence. | 
No lefs indulgent has nature been to them in regard 
to their drefs; their very raiment, refembling the ‘fineft 
velvet, bright and glittering ; their whole bodies covered 
‘with the moft curious hair, not unlike to the richef — 
fhagg, which greatly embellifhes every part; ‘more ef- 
+ Baker's Micr, p.210, pecially 
