168 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



such precautions. While the timid, if unprotected, are al- 

 most sure to be stung, there is something in the determined 

 aspect and movements of a courageous and skillful opera- 

 tor, that seems often to strike bees with instant terror, so 

 that they become perfectly submissive to his will. 



Artificial swarms may be created with perfect safety, 

 even at mid-day, as the thousands of bees returning with 

 their loads, never make an attack, while those at home can 

 be easily pacified. 



The arrangement which permits the top of the movable- 

 comb hive to be easily removed, and the sugar-water to 

 be sprinkled upon the bees, before they attempt to take 

 wing, has great advantages. If the hive opened on the 

 side, like Dzierzon's, it would be impossible to make the 

 sweetened water run down between all the ranges of 

 comb, and it would be necessary to use smoke* in every 

 operation. The use of smoke frequently causes the queen 

 to leave the combs, for greater security. This often causes 

 great delay in the formation of artificial swarms by 

 removing the frames, and in operations where it is de- 

 sirable to catch the queen, or to examine her upon the 

 comb. 



Huber thus speaks of the pacific effect produced upon 

 the bees by the use of his leaf-hive : " On opening the 

 hive, no stings are to be dreaded, for one of the most 

 singular and valuable properties attending my construc- 

 tion, is its rendering the bees tractable. I ascribe their 

 tranquillity to the manner in which they are affected by 

 the sudden admission of light; they appear rather to 

 testify fear than anger. Many retire, and entering the 

 cells, seem to conceal themselves." Huber has here fallen 



* After using smoke sometimes two or three times a day, to open a hive upon 

 which I was experimenting, I found that, at last, the cunning creatures, instead of 

 filling themselves with honey, rushed out to attack me! A colony will nver 

 refuse the sweetened water, however often it may be presented to them. 



