ANGER OF BEES. 371 



mediate vicinity of their hives, what would become of our 

 domestic animals among the clover fields in the pastures ? 

 A tithe of the merry gambols they now so safely indulge 

 in, would speedily bring about^hem a swarm of these infu- 

 riated insects. In all our rambles among the green fields, 

 we should constantly be in peril ; and no jocund mower 

 would ever whet his glittering scythe, or swing his peaceful 

 weapon, unless first clad in a dress impervious to their 

 stings. In short, the bee, instead of being the friend of 

 man, would be one of his most vexatious enemies, and as 

 has been the case with the wolves and the bears, every 

 effort would be made for their utter extermination. 



The sting of a bee often produces very painful, and upon 

 some persons, very dangerous effects. I am persuaded, 

 from the result of my own observation, that the bee seldom 

 stings those whose systems are not sensitive to its venom, 

 while it seems to take a special and malicious pleasure in 

 attacking those upon whom it produces the most painful 

 effects ! It may be that something in the secretions of such 

 persons both provokes the attack, and causes its conse- 

 quences to be more severe. 



I should not advise persons upon whose system the sting 

 of a bee produces the most agonizing pam, and violent, if 

 not dangerous symptoms, to devote any attention to the 

 practical part of an Apiary ; although I am acquainted with 

 a lady who is thus severely affected, and who yet, strange 

 to say, is a great enthusiast in Apiarian pursuits ! I have 

 met with individuals, upon whom a sting produced the sin- 

 gular effect of causing their breath to smell like the venom 

 of the enraged insect ! The smell of the poison resembles 

 almost perfectly that of a ripe banana. It produces a very 

 irritating effect upon the bees themselves ; for if a minute 

 drop of it is extended to them, on a stick, they at once man^ 

 fest the most decided anger. 



