BEE-STINGS. 223 



has thrown a hive into excitement, the workers will 

 be likely to show their feeling by some passionate 

 onslaught on the innocent onlooker. There is no 

 disguising the fact that they are very quick-tempered 

 creatures, and often act with an utter want of dis- 

 crimination in the matter of stinging. 



The time most suitable for the examination of 

 stocks, and for any other processes of manipulation, 

 is when the weather is fine, without being sultry or 

 oppressive, and when very large numbers of the older 

 bees are out at work. It is these who are most pug- 

 nacious, the young ones being comparatively gentle. 



If several, or even one, apparently intent on 

 mischief, should angrily buzz round, the best plan is 

 to thrust one's head into some bush. This, for the 

 most part, baffles the assailant, who seems unable to 

 find its intended victim, and very soon flies away. 



When actually stung, the first thing to be done is 

 to extract the weapon, which the unfortunate insect 

 almost invariably tears out of its body, with the 

 poison-bag and muscles, as it flies off". If left in the 

 flesh, the muscles, by their automatic action, drive 

 the barbs in deeper and deeper, the poison also 

 flowing more copiously into the wound. Directly 

 the sting is removed, avoid all rubbing of the part 

 affected, but at once press upon the puncture a hollow 

 key, taking care that the exact spot pierced comes in 

 the centre of the opening of the key-tube. By this 

 means the poison will be prevented from extending in 

 the surrounding capillaries, and from being carried to 

 the neighbouring parts. Moreover, some of the acrid 

 matter will be squeezed out, and so comparatively 

 little inconvenience will follow. The pain will be much 



