The eggs of bees, like those of the toad and the viper, contain the specific venom. The amount, however, is small, since in order to produce lethal results in the sparrow it was found necessary to inoculate an emulsion obtained by crushing 926 eggs. Phisalix[132] makes the approximate calculation that, in the egg the weight of the toxic substances amounts to the one hundred and fiftieth part of the whole. Their effects are similar to those produced by the venom itself, but the convulsions are not so severe. The predominant poison in the egg appears to be that causing paralysis. I have easily succeeded in vaccinating mice against doses of bee-venom certainly lethal, by repeatedly inoculating them with very small doses. Moreover, we find the same thing in the case of human beings, for we know that those who are in the habit of handling hives become quite accustomed to bee-stings, and finally feel not the slightest effect from them. It has been shown by J. Morgenroth and U. Carpi,[133] in a paper recently published, that the venom of bees, like that of the scorpion, possesses the property of hæmolysing the red corpuscles of several species of animals (the rabbit, guinea-pig, and goat), and that it is capable of combining with the lecithin to form a _lecithide_ analogous to _cobra-lecithide_, the curious properties of which we have studied in detail. This lecithide of bee-venom is from 200 to 500 times more hæmolysing than the venom itself, and resists ebullition like that of the cobra. In order to isolate it Morgenroth and Carpi employed the method recommended by P. Kyes: 1½ c.c. of a solution of pure venom is mixed with 1½ c.c. of a 5 per cent. solution of lecithin in methylic alcohol. After being kept for twenty-four hours at 37° C., 22 c.c. of absolute alcohol are added; the liquid is decanted, and the clear filtrate is mixed with 150 c.c. of ether. There is slowly formed a somewhat copious flocculent deposit, which is collected on a filter, washed several times with ether, and finally dried. The lecithide that remains on the filter dissolves completely in physiological salt solution. It must be remarked that bee-venom, without the addition of lecithin, gives a scanty precipitate with ether. This precipitate, dissolved in physiological salt solution, possesses no hæmolysing power. The lecithide, on the contrary, dissolves red corpuscles almost instantaneously. Normal horse-serum considerably inhibits hæmolysis by bee-venom + lecithin. This protective action of normal serums has already been observed by Langer; it is perhaps attributable to the cholesterin that they contain. Among other Hymenoptera capable of inflicting very severe stings may be mentioned the species of _Polistes_ and certain Pompilids, especially a species of _Pompilus_ found in Natal, the painful stings of which have sometimes been experienced and described by travellers (P. Fabre, of Commentry).[134]