THE BEE-DRESS. 177 



to tie round the arms, and descend low enough to 

 tie round the body. A woollen apron should also 

 be worn, as high as the bottom of the catgut dress, 

 otherwise, in the language of Mr. Keys, the prying 

 little insects may find an opening of sufficient size 

 to enable them to tickle the belly. " Women," 

 says Mr. K. "should not meddle with bees, with- 

 out a bee-dress, nor then without the addition of a 

 man's coat, and I had almost said of breeches also." 

 This dress is the most complete mode of secu- 

 ring an operator from bees or wasps ; but if he 

 be adventurous enough to brave their attacks, I 

 recommend him first to drink or rince his mouth 

 with a little malt liquor ; to wash his face and 

 hands with the same, and to approach them with 

 a bunch of sweet herbs in his hand, gently fanning 

 his face with them, whilst he is in the vicinity of 

 their domicile, and breathing as much as possi- 

 ble through his nose. (Fide Part II. Bee's Sting.) 

 In case of an actual or threatened attack, (the 

 latter of which may be known by the peculiar 

 noise which precedes it,) a defence by striking 

 at them would be highly imprudent. An attempt 

 may be first made to put them gently away ; 

 should that not succeed, the only resource is to 

 retire quietly, and to conceal the face in shrubs or 

 boughs, if any be near, or if not with the hands 

 spread over it. The bees will then generally 

 desist from further attack, and go home. 

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