STINGS. 20I 



specting one's Apiary, becomes very useful. For the 

 hands, there is nothing better than good soft macintosli 

 gloves, Hned with some textile fabric, such as are used 

 by photographers; but these require the addition of 

 gauntlets (which may be made of calico or silk) to cover 

 2 or 3 inches of the coat cuffs, held in place by elastic 

 run into their upper edge. Where the India-rubber 

 gloves are not procurable, stout woollen or leather may 

 be used, but are not so effectual; but an adept in Bee 

 culture soon looks with contempt upon gloves, and I 

 really think in my early Bee-keeping days when wearing 

 gloves I got oftener stung on the hands, through care- 

 lessness in securely fastening my gauntlets, than I now 

 do working with naked hands. 



Thus equipped, the aspirant to Bee honours may bid 

 defiance to his angry little friends, and in time confidence 

 will be mutually established and, possibly, the gloves 

 presented to a more unpractised hand; but even with 

 the most experienced I should advise that the veil be 

 kept in constant use, for accidents will happen, and 

 stings about the eyes are never pleasant to any one. 

 The Queen, although provided with a sting, never uses 

 it, except in combat with another Queen; and it is 

 scarcely necessary to say that Drones have no sting at 

 all. Having been stung, the next consideration comes 

 how to cure it, or at least reduce the effect to a minimum 

 of discomfort. Many things are given as remedies, but 

 I have no faith in any, except a good soaking in warm 

 water in the manner most convenient. If the hands are 

 stung, lay them in a basin of hot water, the longer time 

 the better; if the face or other part„foment or poultice. 

 When stung, remove the sting quickly, then, if possible, 

 warm the pipe of a small key and press it over the 

 puncture ; a little drop of poison will, probably, appear, 



