226 THE HONEY-BEE. 



purpose he should provide himself with a bee-dress, 

 consisting of a sort of bag of black net, which will 

 slip over the head and shoulders, and may be fast- 

 ened round the waist by an elastic band. It should 

 be large enough to admit of wearing a hat with a 

 tolerably broad brim. This will cause the veil to 

 stand away from the face sufficiently to prevent 

 any angry bee from getting at the flesh. Sleeves 

 of black calico should be attached to it, and may be 

 secured at the wrists by tying, or by elastic bands. 

 Such a dress is best worn without a coat but over 

 a waistcoat, as greater coolness and freedom of move- 

 ment will thus be attained. The hands may be pro- 

 tected by cotton or india-rubber gloves, and the 

 sleeves should be fastened over these round the 

 wrists. If, in conducting any extensive manipula- 

 tions, bees, half- stupefied or weak from their youth- 

 fulness, are likely to be crawling about the ground, 

 it is advisable to tuck the trousers inside the boots, 

 or to tie them round the ankles, or in some way 

 to prevent the ascent of any insects beneath the 

 clothes. 



Thus protected, the novice may, with perfect con- 

 fidence, conduct such operations among his hives as 

 he may deem necessary. He should be careful, how- 

 ever, not to let his security induce any roughness or 

 carelessness in handling the insects or their combs 

 and hive-frames. As much quietness and gentle 

 treatment should be used, as if freedom from attack 

 depended entirely on such methods ; for, it is certain 

 that by great tenderness in handling, bees become 

 accustomed to those who have to do with them ; 

 whereas, a hive once enraged by accidental or rough 



