186 HANDLING BEES. 
for the comfort of man. In the early ages of the world, 
and indeed until quite modern times, honey was almost the 
only natural sweet; and the promise of ‘‘a land flowing 
with milk and honey’’ had once a significance which it is 
difficult for us fully to realize. The honey-bee, therefore, 
was created not merely to store up its delicious nectar for 
its own use, but with certain propensities, without which 
man could no more subject it to his control, than he could 
make a useful beast of burden of a lion or a tiger. 
379. One of the peculiarities which constitutes the foun- 
dation of the present system of management, and indeed of 
the possibility of domesticating at all so irascible an insect, 
has never to our knowledge been clearly stated as a great 
and controlling principle by any one before Mr. Langstroth. 
It may be thus expressed: 
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 offer 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 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 peaceable mood imaginable; and unless abused allow 
themselves to be treated with the greatest familiarity. The 
© This statement has been contradicted by a high authority, but we persist in 
affirming it, and will adduce several proofs in different passages. 
