34 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



them. Human 'breath, and sweat are very offensive to 

 bees, and hence it is not wise to move much amongst 

 them while in a state of perspiration. 



But what ahout vicious bees and their courageous 

 attacks? All bees born away from the haunts of human 

 beings, are apt to attack people going near their hives. 

 Away from their own hives they do not attack anybody 

 or anything; but on seeing strangers approach their hives, 

 they anticipate molestation, and are not slow to use their 

 weapons of defence. Again and again have we proven 

 that bees once domesticated never become vicious. Bees 

 that are quiet and peaceable in autumn, are quiet and 

 peaceable in spring, though they may not have seen 

 anybody near their hives all winter. But bees that are 

 born and fly about in lonely places will fearlessly attack 

 either men or beasts that go too near their hives. 



HOW TO TAME AND DOMESTICATE VICIOUS BEES. 



This is done by making them accustomed to the sight 

 and form of human beings. A scarecrow or two (what 

 the Scotch folk call potato bogies or bogles), placed in 

 front of their hives, soon makes them all right. The 

 scarecrows can be shifted from one position to another 

 a few times. Some years ago I bought a hive in the 

 country and placed it amongst some others at home. 

 The bees would not let me go near their hive. A bogle 

 was placed in front of it, and to me it was interesting to 

 watch the attack : one or two of the savage creatures 

 were seen eyeing the face, and looking for a tender spot 

 on which to dart. In a few days they became as quiet 

 as the rest. 



