CURIOUS HIVE ANECDOTES. 289 



The following almost miraculous story appeared 

 in a late provincial newspaper. " That bees may 

 be tamed, so as not to hurt persons to whom they are 

 accustomed, I have by many instances heard exem- 

 plified, but most remarkably by the following account. 

 A gentleman residing at Bury St. Edmonds (whose 

 name surely ought to have been given) could do with 

 impunity any thing he liked with his bees ; he knew 

 every one of them, and could distinguish each from 

 its fellow, as a shepherd is said to individualize his 

 sheep by the physiognomy of each ; and if he wanted 

 to show a particular bee to a friend, he would have 

 the hive to which it belonged turned out into a cloth, 

 roll the insects about with his hands, like so many 

 peas, and, unharmed, select from them the one required ! 

 This fact he has often been seen to perform." I must 

 own, I should decline being a spectator of such a fact. 

 The unaccountable fact, however, as above stated, 

 known from antiquity, is indisputable, that bees will 

 sting, even to death, some persons the majority 

 whilst they select their favourites, whom they leave 

 unhurt. My late wife belonged to this favoured class, 

 having had, in approaching the hives, her head and face 

 covered with bees, without receiving the slightest injury 

 or inconvenience, beyond the tickling of the insects ; 

 but she offered no opposition, standing perfectly still 

 until her dangerous visitors took their leave, which, 

 occurred in less than five minutes. I am not aware 

 whether these furious infernals have the same election 

 in the case of brute animals, but in all probability 

 not, since these have not power to reflect on the ne- 

 cessity of remaining still under the perilous visitation. 



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