114: THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



and buzzing, passing and repassing, wheeling about in 

 rapid circles, like a group of maddened bacchanals. Out 

 runs the good housewife, with the frying-pan and key 

 the orthodox instruments for ringing and never ceases 

 her rough music, till the bees have settled. This custom, 

 as old as the birth of Jupiter, is one of the most pleasing 

 and exciting of the countryman's life ; and there is an old 

 colored print of bee-ringing still occasionally met with on 

 the walls of a country inn, that has charms for us, and 

 makes us think of bright sunny weather in the dreariest 

 November day. Whether, as Aristotle says, it affects 

 them through pleasure or fear, or whether, indeed, they 

 hear* it at all, is still as uncertain as that philosopher left 

 it ; but we can wish no better luck to every bee-master 

 that neglects the tradition, than that he may lose every 

 swarm for which he omits to raise this time-honored con- 

 cert." 



If, before its issue, a swarm has selected a new home, 

 no amount of noise will compel them to alight, but as soon 

 as the emigrating colony have all left the hive, they fly 

 in a " bee-line" to the chosen spot. I have noticed, that 

 such unceremonious leave-taking, though quite common 

 when bees are neglected, seldom occurs when they are 

 properly cared for. 



When the Apiarian perceives that a swarm, instead of 

 clustering, rises higher and higher in the air and means to 

 depart, not a moment must be lost : instead of empty 

 noises, he should resort to means much more effective to 

 stay their vagrant propensities. Water or dirt thrown 

 among them, will often so disorganize them as to compel 

 them to alight. The most original of all devices for stop- 



* The piping of the queen has a shrill, metallic sound, which possibly may be 



