THE HONEY-BEE CAPABLE OP BEING TAMED. 191 



A honey-bee when heavily laden with honey never volunteers 

 an attack, but acts solely on the defensive. 



This law of the honeyed tribe is so universal, that a stone 

 might as soon be expected to rise into the air, without any 

 propelling power, as a bee well filled with honey to ofEer to 

 sting, unless crushed or injured by some direct assault. The 

 man who first attempted to hive a swarm (428) of bees, 

 must have been agreeably surprised at the ease with which he 

 was able to accomplish the feat; for it is wisely ordered that 

 bees, when intending to swarm, should fill their honey-bags to 

 their utmost capacity. They are thus so peaceful that they 



Pig. 90. 



BINGHAM SMOKEE. 



can easily be secured by man, besides having materials for 

 commencing operations immediately in their new habitation, 

 and being in no danger of starving, if several stormy days 

 should follow their emigration. 



380. While swarming, bees issue from their hives in the 

 most peaceful mood imaginable ; and unless abused allow them- 

 selves to be treated with the greatest familiarity. The hiving 

 of them might always be conducted without risk, if there were 

 not, occasionally, some improvident or unfortunate ones, who, 

 coming forth without a sufficient amount of the soothing sup- 

 ply, are filled instead with the bitterest hate against any one 



