Mammalian Sting

The animal class of Mammalia can be distinguished by two physical features: a female mammal has fore humps and a male mammal has a sting. This article covers the subject of the Mammalian Sting.

Location

On mammals, the sting is located between the hind or lower limbs of a male. For most mammals, the sting is held within the body of the male, but for mammals such as Humans, the sting protrudes visibly from the lower torso. The sting can become more visible if an excitation stimulus, such as a threat to the male's mate, is provided.

General Description

The sting comprises of a fleshy tube of cartilage which is the actual stinging implement itself. The implement is sheathed unless the sting becomes engorged with blood, ready to be used.

The sting is also considered to include the external minor venom sacs which usually sit just below the stinging implement. The sting is actually capable of delivering two different types of venom:

• Type I: This is a very water-like warm yellow liquid with a high salt content.
• Type II: This is a semi-viscous white liquid of variable density.

Studies of these two venoms have indicated that their poison-index is extremely low, leading Scientitions to consider the sting a vestigial organ which will eventually be completely subsumed into the body.

Anatomy of the Sting

Side section of the Mammalian Sting

1. Internal Major Venom Sac. Provides the Type I venom of the sting.
2. Heating Element. Warms the internal venom sac so that the Type I venom is more motile.
3. Sting's Outer Covering of Skin. A very flexible form of skin, allowing the sting to extend to great length.
4. Sponge. This becomes filled with blood when the sting is being made ready for use.
5. Dart. The penetrating end of the sting.
6. Sheath. Made of very flexible skin. This retracts when the sting is about to be used.
7. Sting Opening. Delivers the venom.
8. Minor Air Cushion. Scientitions have yet to determine what use this structure serves.
9. Major Air Cushion. Like the Minor Air Cushion, the purpose of this structure is currently unknown.
10. Plasmic Gland. Provides some of the liquid that makes up Type II venom.
11. Plasmic Canal. Allows the secretions of the Plasmic Gland to mix with the rest of the Type II venom when it is delivered.
12. Spurt's Gland. Provides some of the denser liquid that makes up Type II venom.
13. Poisonic Gland. This gland is believed to have once produced the actual poisonous element of the Type II venom. However, now it merely provides a minor amout of lubrication to the Type II vemon mix.
14. Air Cushion Vent. The whole purpose of the Air Cushion internal substructure of the sting is currently unknown.
15. Minor Venom Tube. Transports the Type II venom for delivery through the sting itself.
16. Nerve Complex. The sting is a delicate organ and must be protected. The Nerve Complex provides enhanced warning of trauma.
17. Venom Sac(s). These glands produce the bulk of the Type II venom. Microscope studies of the glands' produce have revealed tiny homunculus with whipping tails which are believed to provide part of the motile force of the venom.
18. Sac Outer Covering of Skin. A very wrinkled type of skin, believed to provide the venom sacs the ability to grow to enormous size if the sting is not used regularly to decanter the Type II venom.