294 WAy Bees Sting. 



C HA P TE R 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 \\a\t. 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, nolentes volentes. I believe that only such are 

 regarded with special aversion by the bees. Hence, I 

 believe that no one need be stung. 



Bees should never be jarred, ntfr 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 



