ANUEK OF BEKS. 313 



the hive by their pitiless companions. It is, however, a 

 necessary law of their economy, that those who cannot 

 work, shall not eat ; nor is there anything in the nature 

 of a bee, that can be benefitted by nursing the sick, while 

 the noblest traits of humanity are often developed by the 

 incessant care bestowed upon the weak and helpless. 



Huber has demonstrated, that bees have an exceedingly 

 acute sense of smell, and that unpleasant odors quickly 

 excite theu- anger.* Long before his time, Butler said, 

 " Their smelling is excellent, whereby, when they fly aloft 

 into the air, they wiU quickly perceive anything imder 

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

 have, therefore, a special dislike to those whose habits 

 are not neat,f and who bear about them a perfume not m 

 the least resembling 



" Sabean odors 

 From the spicy shores of Araby the blest." . 



A sweaty horse is detested by bees, and, when assailed 

 by them, is often killed ; as, instead 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. 



The sting of a bee, upon some pel'sons, produces very 

 painful, and even dangerous efiects. I have often noticed 

 that, whUe those whose systems are not sensitive to the 

 venom, are rarely molested by bees, they seem to take a 

 malicious pleasure in stinging those upon whom their 



* strong perfumes, however pleasant to us, are disagreeable to bees ; and Aris- 

 totle observes, tbat they will sting those scented with them. I have known per- 

 sons ignorant of this fact to be severely treated by bees. 



t Some persons, however cleanly, are assaulted by bees as soon as they approach 

 their hives. It is related of a distinguished Apiarian 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 apparent from the fact that any 

 number of colonies, fed from a common vessel, will be gentle towards each other, 

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



14 



