THE HONET-BEE CAPABLE OP BEING TAMED. 27 



bees are gently spvinlded with water sweetened with 

 sugar, they will help themselves with great eagerness, 

 and in a few moments will be perfectly under control. 

 The truth is, that bees thus managed are always glad to 

 sec -visitors, for they expect at every call to receive an 

 acceptable peace- oflfering. The greatest objection to the 

 use of sweetened water is, the greediness of bees from 

 other hives, who, when there is any scarcity of honey in 

 the fields, will often surround the Apiarian as soon as he 

 presents himself with his watering-pot, and attempt to 

 force their way into any hive he may open, to steal if 

 possible a portion of its treasures. 



A third peculiarity 'in the nature of bees gives an al- 

 most unlimited control over them, and may be expressed 

 as follows : 



Sees when frightened immediately hegin to Jill them^ 

 selves with honey from, their combs. 



If the Apiarian only succeeds in frightening his little 

 subjects, he can make them as peaceable as though they 

 were incapable of stinging. By the use of a little smoke 

 from decayed wood,* the largest and most fiery colony 

 may at once be brought into complete subjection. As 

 soon as the smoke is blown among them, they retreat 

 from before it, raising a subdued or terrified note ; and, 

 seeming to imagine that their honey is to be taken from 

 them, they cram their honey-bags to their utmost capac- 

 ity. They act either as if aware that only what they 

 can lodge in this inside pocket is safe, or, as if expecting 

 to be driven away from, their stores, they are determined 

 to start with a full supply of provisions for the way. The 

 same result may be obtained by shutting them up in their 



* Sach wood is often called spunk, or touchwood ; it burns without any flams 

 until consumed ; and its smoke may easily be directed upon the bees, by the 

 breath of the Apiarian. 



