282 MISCHIEVOUS HABITS OF THE BEE. 



able, whether the diminution in produce of beef, 

 mutton, and wool, hides and tallow, from the im- 

 poverishment of the pasture, would not more than 

 compensate the return in value, from the increased 

 production of honey and wax." These insects were 

 formerly held, by their depredations on the pollen 

 and farina, to detract from the fragrance and beauty 

 of flowers, and to hasten their decay ; and by their 

 operations on the blossoms of fruit-trees, depriving 

 them of their nectarine juices, to occasion the wither- 

 ing and premature decay of much of the fruit. This 

 ancient opinion receives some countenance from the 

 fact asserted by our modern gardeners, that if the 

 flowers of any of the radish or brassica tribe, have 

 been much laid upon by bees, the purity of the seed 

 cannot be warranted. In addition, the mischievous 

 and revengeful disposition of these insects is urged 

 as extremely dangerous both to human and brute 

 creatures, insomuch that some farmers have declared, 

 they might as well be surrounded by nests of hornets, 

 as by multiplied stocks of bees. Accidents of animals 

 stung to death by these furious and vindictive insects 

 have ever been of periodical occurrence. Lately a 

 female child had a fortunate escape. Its face, head, 

 and breast were covered with the insects, swelled and 

 inflamed to an enormous size. The case was perilous, 

 but by the child being immediately found, the bees 

 brushed off her and proper remedies applied, she 

 soon recovered. The juice of onions first, and vine- 

 gar afterwards, are said to be specific : also the appli- 

 cation of the extract of lead, formerly called Goulard's 

 extract, with a piece of linen. 



On the other side of the question it has been urged, 



