310 THE HIVB AND HONEY-BEE. 



ing of their hive, or by the presence of a sweaty horse, 

 or any offensive animal, they are terribly vindictive and 

 severe, and even dangerous consequences may ensue. As 

 our domestic animals may, by ill-treatment, be roused to 

 such fury as to endanger our lives, so the most peaceful 

 family of bees may be quickly taught to attack any living 

 thing that approaches their domicile. 



When a colony of bees is unskillfully dealt with, they 

 will "compass about" their assailant with savage feroc- 

 ity; and wo be to him, if they can creep up his clothes, or 

 find a single unprotected spot on his person. He will 

 fare as badly as the "UNFORTUNATE Bee-ing f so ludi- 

 crously depicted in " Hood's Comic Sketches." 



Those who have much to do with bees, should wear a 

 bee-hat, unless they are proof against the venom of their 

 stings; for, while tens of thousands will continue their 

 pursuits without annoying those who do not molest them, 

 a few dyspeptic bees (p. 256), will come buzzing around 

 their ears, determined to sting, without the slightest 

 provocation. Even these, however, retain some touch of 

 grace, amidst all their desperation. Like the scold, whose 

 elevated voice gives timely warning to escape the sound of 

 her tongue, so a bee bent on mischief, by raising its note 

 far above the peaceable pitch, gives fair warning that 

 danger is impending. Even then, if it has not been pro- 

 voked to madness, it will seldom sting, unless it can plant 

 its weapon on the face of its victim, and, if possible, near 

 the eye ; for, like all the stinging tribe, it has an intuitive 

 perception that this is the most vulnerable spot. If the 

 head is quietly lowered, and the face covered with the 

 hands, they will follow a person, often for rods, all the time 

 sounding their war-note in his ears, and daring the sneak- 

 ing fellow to allow them to catch but a glimpse of his 

 coward face. 



