SOME BEE LORE 49 



but mental and even moral, which we mortals 

 cannot always appreciate. 



Numerous cases are known of bees attacking 

 people who, to all appearance, treated these relent- 

 less judges of mankind with due respect and con- 

 sideration, but who have gone to their bees in 

 anger or in a state of nervous excitement or ex- 

 haustion. Pliny solemnly cautions thieves and 

 malefactors against approaching hives at any time, 

 and Butler, a devoted student of bee life, living 

 in the reign of Queen Anne, gives most elaborate 

 advice as to the necessary qualities of the good 

 bee-master. 



With the ancient Romans, a flight of bees was 

 considered a bad omen. Appian says a swarm of 

 bees alighted on the altar and prognosticated the 

 fatal issue of the battle of Pharsalia. 



It is said that when Plato was in his cradle a 

 swarm of bees alighted on his mouth. 



In Christian art, St. Ambrose is represented with 

 a beehive, as there is a similar tradition of a swarm 

 of bees alighting on his mouth when he was an 

 infant. 



*' Marriage, birth or burying, 



News across the seas, 

 All you're sad or merry in, 



You must tell the bees. 

 Tell 'em going in and out 



Where the Fanners fan, 

 'Cos the bees are just about 



As curious as a man. 



" Don't you wait where trees are, 

 Where the lightnings play, 

 Nor don't you hate where bees are, 

 Or else they'll fly away. 



