THE HONEYBEE CAPABLE OF BEING TAMED. 27 



THE OFFENSIVE, WHEN IT IS GORGED OR FILLED WITH 

 HONEY. 



The man who first attempted to lodge a swarm of bees 

 in an artificial hive, was doubtless agreeably surprised at 

 the ease with which he was able to accomplish it. For 

 when the bees are intending to swarm, they fill their honey- 

 bags to their utmost capacity. This is wisely ordered, that 

 they may have materials for commencing operations imme- 

 diately in their new habitation ; that they may not starve .if 

 several stormy days should follow their emigration ; and that 

 when they leave their hives, they may be in a suitable con- 

 dition to be secured by man. 



They issue from their hives in the most peaceable mood 

 that can well be imagined ; and unless they are abused, 

 allow themselves to be treated with great familiarity. The 

 hiving of bees, by those who understand their nature, could 

 almost always be conducted without the risk of any annoy- 

 ance, if it were not the case that some improvident or un- 

 fortunate ones occasionally come forth without the soothing 

 supply ; and not being stored with honey, are filled with the 

 gall of the bitterest hate against all mankind and animal 

 kind in general, and any one who dares to meddle with 

 them in particular. Such radicals are always to be dreaded, 

 for they must vent their spleen on something, even though 

 they lose their life in the act. 



Suppose the whole colony, on sallying forth, to possess 

 such a ferocious spirit; no one would ever dare to hive 

 them, unless clad in a coat of mail, at least bee-proof, and 

 not even then, until all the windows of his house were 

 closed, his domestic animals bestowed in some safe place, 

 and sentinels .posted at suitable stations, to warn all comers 

 to look out for something almost as much to be dreaded, as 

 a fiery locomotive in full speed. In short, if the propensity 



