206 HANDLING BEES. 



speedily bring about them a swarm of infuriated enemies; 

 we should be no longer safe in our quiet rambles among 

 the green fields; and no jocund mower could whet or swing 

 his peaceful scythe, unless clad in a dress impervious to their 

 stings. The bee, instead of being the friend of man, would, 

 like savage wild beasts, provoke his utmost efforts for its 

 extermination. 



400. Huber has demonstrated that bees have an exceed- 

 ingly acute sense of smell and that unpleasant odors quickly 

 excite their anger. 



Strong perfumes, however pleasant to us, are disagreeable 

 to them; and Aristotle observes, that they will sting those 

 scented with them. AYe have known persons ignorant of this 

 fact to be severely treated by bees. 



Some persons, however cleanly, are assaulted by bees as 

 soon as they approach their hives. It is related of a 

 distinguished Apiarist that after a severe attack of fever, he 

 was never able to be on good terms with his bees. That they 

 can readily perceive the slightest differences in smell, is ap- 

 parent from the fact that any number of bees, fed from a 

 common vessel, will be gentle towards each other, while they 

 will assail the first strange bee that alights on the feeder. 



Butler said, "Their smelling is excellent, whereby, when 

 they fly aloft into the air, they will quickly perceive anything 

 under them that they like, even though it be covered." They 

 have, therefore, a special dislike to those whose habits are 

 not neat, and who bear about them a perfume not in the least 

 resembling 



' ' Sabean odora 

 From the spicy shores of Araby tlie blest." 



A horse, when assailed by them, is often killed; as in- 

 stead of running away, like most other animals, it will plunge 

 and kick until it falls overpowered. The apiary should be 

 fenced in, to prevent horses and cattle from molesting the 

 hives. We have known of a horse, which happening to be 



