294 Why Bees Sting. 
CHAPTER XIV. 
HANDLING BEES. 
But some one asks the question, shall we not receive 
those merciless stings, or be introduced to what “Josh” 
calls the “business end of the bee?” Perhaps there is no 
more causeless or more common dread in existence than 
this of bees’ stings. When bees are gathering, they will 
never sting unless provoked. When at the hives—espe- 
cially if Italians or Carniolans—they will rarely make an 
attack. The common belief, too, that some persons are 
more liable to attack than others, is, I think, erroneous. 
With the best opportunity to judge, with our hundreds of 
students, I think I may safely say that one is almost always 
as liable to attack as another, except that he is more quiet, 
or does not greet the usually amiable passer-by with those 
terrific thrusts, which would vanquish even a practiced 
pugilist. Occasionally a person may have a peculiar odor 
about his person that angers bees and invites their darting 
tilts, with drawn swords, venom-tipped; yet, though I take 
my large classes each season, at frequent intervals, to see 
and handle the bees, each for himself, I still await the first 
proof of the fact that one person is more liable to be stung. 
than another, providing each carries himself with that com- 
posed and dignified bearing that is so pleasing to the bees. 
True, some ;eople, filled with dread, and the belief that 
bees regard them with special hate and malice, are so ready 
for the battle that they commence the strife with nervous 
head-shakes and beating of the air, and thus force the bees 
to battle, zolentes volentes. I believe that only such are 
regarded with special aversion by the bees. Hence, I 
believe that xo ove need be stung. 
Bees should never be jarred, nor irritated by quick 
motions. Those with nervous temperament—and I plead 
very guilty on this point—need not give up, but at first 
better protect their faces, and perhaps even their hands, 
till time and experience show them that fear is vain; then 
