170 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



sweetened water or smoke, the first manifestations of 

 anger ; for as "bees communicate their sensations to each 

 other with almost magic celerity,- while a whole colony 

 will quickly catch the pleased or subdued notes uttered by 

 a few, it will be roused to instant fury by the shrill note 

 of anger from a single bee. When once they are thor- 

 oughly excited, it will be found very difficult to subdue 

 them, and the unfortunate operator, if inexperienced, will 

 often abandon the attempt in despair. 



It cannot be too deeply impressed upon the beginner, 

 that nothing irritates bees more than breathing upon 

 them or jarring their combs. Every motion should be 

 deliberate, and no attempt whatever made to strike at 

 them. If inclined to be cross, they will often resent even 

 a quick pointing at them with the finger, by darting upon 

 it, and leaving their stings behind. A novice, or a person 

 liable to be stung, will, of course, protect his face and 

 hands. 



Directions have been given (p. 165), for removing the 

 spare honey-board from the hive. As soon as it is dis- 

 posed of, the Apiarian should sprinkle the bees with the 

 sweet solution. This should descend from the watering- 

 pot in a fine stream, so as not to drench the bees, and 

 should fall upon the tops of the frames, as well as between 

 the ranges of comb. The bees, accepting the proffered 

 treat, will begin to lap it up, as peaceably as so many 

 chickens helping themselves to corn. While they are 

 thus engaged, the frames which have been glued fast to 

 the rabbets by the bees, must be very gently pried loose ; 

 this may be done without any serious jar, and without 

 wounding or enraging a single bee ; the rabbets being 

 wide enough to allow the frames to be pried from the 

 rear to the front, or vice versa. If the rabbets were only 

 just wide enough to receive the shoulders of the frames, 



