THE WRATH OF THE BEE 

 V 



SINCE the publication of The Life of the Bee, I have 

 often been asked to throw light upon one of the most 

 dreaded mysteries of the hive, namely, the psychology 

 of its inexplicable, sudden and sometimes mortal wrath. A 

 host of cruel and unjust legends still hovers round the abode 

 of the yellow fairies of the honey. The bravest among the 

 guests who visit the garden slacken their pace and lapse into 

 involuntary silence as they approach the enclosure, blossom- 

 ing with melilot and mignonette, where buzz the daughters of 

 the light. Doting mothers keep their children away from it, 

 as they would keep them away from a smouldering fire or 

 a nest of adders; nor does the bee-keeping novice, gloved in 

 leather, veiled in gauze, surrounded by clouds of smoke, face 

 the mystic citadel without that little unavowed shiver which 

 men feel before a great battle. 



How much sense is there at the back of these traditional 

 fears? Is the bee really dangerous? Does she allow herself 

 to be tamed? Is there a risk in approaching the hives? 



[203] 



