§ I.] STINGS. ■ 28c(v 



dition and the weather agreeable, the great mass of the 

 older bees are out upon the wing. It is these that there 

 is the principal occasion to fear. 



Occasionally even a skilful aparian may inadvertently, 

 crush a single bee j such a mischance is detected by the 

 whole community with much more facility than by any 

 " crowner's quest," and their prompt verdict decrees the 

 summary punishment of the offender. There would be 

 much less fear of stings if it were always remembered 

 that bees are never aggressive. " Defence, not defi- 

 ance," is their motto. They scarcely ever attempt tO' 

 sting when away from the hive, and very seldom indeed 

 at the time of swarming, for then they are gorged with 

 honey. When molested by angry bees, do not attempt. 

 to beat them off ; the safest and best retreat is a green 

 bush. Thrust your head into this, or, if no such refuge 

 is near, in an emergency throw yourself on the ground, 

 and, with face downwards, the bees will soon leave you. 



Yet some people appear to. think they must inevitably 

 be stung if they, meddle with bees, and for their sakes it 

 is' needful to explain why it is that a sting is painful, and 

 how the wound inflicted by the bee may be cured. The 

 weapon, as we see it with our naked eye — finer than a 

 needle's point — is only the sheath, which lengthens or 

 contracts like the iubes of a telescope (see page 104). 

 The dart, as before said, is barbed on each side, so that 

 the bee, when very angry, is scarcely ever able to "with- 

 draw it, but — • 



19 



