The last important organ of the abdomen is the sting. This small but effective weapon is situate close to the stomach, and is found in the queen and worker, but is absent in the drone. Our engraving (Plate II. Fig. 4) exhibits the sting of the worker bee with its muscles and attachments: _r_ shows the muscles that move the sting, and _q_ the curved base of the outer sheath by which it is enclosed. Much beautiful mechanism is observed on a microscopic examination of this weapon, so wonderfully powerful in comparison with its bulk. The sting is composed of three separate portions, each of which is double--the dart, and the inner and outer sheaths. Very confusing accounts are given of this organ in different works, owing probably to the term "sheath" being applied by some to the outer and by others to the inner covering. The outer one consists of two fleshy curved claspers (_q_ in the figure), inside of which is the linear sheath, which forms an essential portion of the sting, and consists of two horny scales closely adherent to the darts. These last are composed of stiff filaments, which at the outer end are each barbed with from five to ten teeth on one side; and they slide within the inner sheath, and that within the outer, on the principle of the tubes of a telescope. As represented in our engraving, the inner sheath clasps the darts to a level with the tips of the outer one. The darts are first protruded in the act of stinging, and, by aid of the powerful muscles on each side at _s_, are buried in the flesh to the depth of one-twelfth of an inch; the inner sheath then follows, and at the same time, by a muscular contraction, the poison is forced along the groove in which the darts work, causing the well-known painful effects which arise from the sting of a bee. These darts are of slightly unequal length, so that the teeth on each side are not opposite to each other. From this arrangement it is easier for them to penetrate the flesh, and alternately deepen the wound, while the teeth successively hold each firm as it makes its way, until the poison has been ejected. If the sufferer could only command himself so as to remain perfectly passive, the bee might be able to draw in these darts which protrude beyond the sheath, and would then have a chance of withdrawing the sting; the little insect would consequently inflict less pain, and might perhaps escape paying the penalty of her life. It generally happens, however, that the excitement of both parties is so great, that the poor bee leaves behind the whole apparatus, and even part of her intestines, so that her death is the result, and the wound is more severe. The sting is about the sixth part of an inch long, and is largest at the base. Here are situated the glands or ducts (Fig. 4 _u_). By these the poison is secreted and passed into the poison-bag (Fig. 4 _t_), which acts as a reservoir for retaining it till required.