Yet some people appear to think they must inevitably be stung if they meddle with bees; and for their sakes it is needful to explain why it is that a sting is painful, and how the wound inflicted by the bee may be cured. Those familiar with the usual microscopic objects will know how marvellously delicate, and yet effective, is the mechanical structure of a bee's sting. This weapon as we see it with our naked eye--finer than a needle's point--is only the sheath, which lengthens or contracts like the tubes of a telescope. From the sheath is projected the dart, which is double, each half of it piercing alternately deeper into the wound made by the sheath. The dart is barbed on each side, so that the bee when very angry is scarcely ever able to withdraw it:-- "Deems life itself to vengeance well resigned; Dies on the wound, and leaves the sting behind." If the patient who receives the sting could only take it patiently, it would not prove half the inconvenience to him that often is the case. There are indeed some happy mortals whose "blood such an even tenour keeps," that a bee-sting is to them simply a puncture, and nothing more. Dr. Bevan has suggested that lovers should subject themselves to the ordeal of a bee-sting, in order to prove, we suppose, that their temper is proof against "the _stings_ and arrows of any outrageous fortune" that matrimony can bring. It is the homœpathically minute tincture of poison injected by the bee which causes inflammation. The first thing to do is to remove the sting, which, even when detached from the bee, will continue to penetrate still further into the wound. Next, press the hollow point of a watch-key exactly over the place stung; this will express a considerable portion of the virus. Then dip the hand or bathe the part with cold or tepid water, for the poison is volatile, and will thereby be dissipated to a great extent. On no account whatever should the part affected be rubbed; to do that will diffuse the poison, and increase the inflammation. The specific remedy for a bee-sting is taught us by chemistry: the venom is an acid, which an alkali will immediately neutralize when brought into contact with it. Spirits of hartshorn will generally be found effectual for the purpose, and should always be kept in an apiary. There are also several other remedies, more or less effectual, according to the special constitution of the patient. A strong infusion of tobacco water applied to the wound after the sting has been extracted, is a specific for many persons; others find relief from the application of a sliced onion. We have heard the remark from several who have kept bees for years, that the poison from a sting has little or no effect on them; after receiving many inflictions, their flesh appears to become so little affected that the swelling and pain at one time experienced no longer trouble them. POLLEN; OR, FOOD FOR INFANT BEES.