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. As for the insects that have a
sting behind, this weapon is given them because they are of a fierce
disposition. In some of them the sting is lodged inside the body, in
bees, for example, and wasps. For these insects are made for flight,
and were their sting external and of delicate make it would soon get
spoiled; and if, on the other hand, it were of thicker build, as in
scorpions, its weight would be an incumbrance. As for scorpions that
live on the ground and have a tail, their sting must be set upon this,
as otherwise it would be of no use as a weapon. Dipterous insects
never have a posterior sting. For the very reason of their being
dipterous is that they are small and weak, and therefore require no
more than two feathers to support their light weight; and the same
reason which reduces their feathers to two causes their sting to be in
front; for their strength is not sufficient to allow them to strike
efficiently with the hinder part of the body. Polypterous insects,
on the other hand, are of greater bulk-indeed it is this which
causes them to have so many feathers; and their greater size makes
them stronger in their hinder parts. The sting of such insects is
therefore placed behind. Now it is better, when possible, that one and
the same instrument shall not be made to serve several dissimilar
uses; but that there shall be one organ to serve as a weapon, which
can then be very sharp, and a distinct one to serve as a tongue, which
can then be of spongy texture and fit to absorb nutriment
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