lEKITABILITY OF BEES, 2'79 



HOW TO PROCEED WHEN ATTACKED. 



Striking them down renders them ten times more 

 furious. Not in the least daunted, they return to the 

 attack. Not the least show of fear is perceived. Even 

 after losing their sting, they obstinately refuse to 

 desist. It is much the best way to walk as quietly as 

 possible to the shelter of some bush, or to the house. 

 They will seldom go inside of the door. 



A person's breath offensive, and OTHER CAUSES. 



The breath of a person inside the hive, or among 

 them, when clustered outside, is considered in the , tri- 

 bunals of their insect wisdom as the greatest indignify. 

 A sudden jar, sometimes made by carelessly turning 

 up the hive, is another. After- being once thoroughly 

 irritated in this way, they remember it for weeks, and 

 are continually on the alert ; the momewt the hive is 

 touched, they are ready to salute a person's face. 

 "When slides of tin or zinc are used to cut off the com- 

 munication between the hives and boxes, some of the 

 bees are apt to be crushed or cut in two. This they 

 remember, and retaliate, as occasion offers ; and it may 

 be when quietly walking in the apiary. 



THEIR MANNER OF ATTACK. 



I must disagree with any one who says we always 

 have warning before being stung. I have been stung 

 a few times myself. Two-thirds of them were received 

 without the least notice — the first intimation was the 

 " blow." At other times, when fully determined on 

 vengeance, I have had them strike my hat and remain 



