412 ANGER OF EEES. 



bodies may not be offensive to their pitiless companion*. 

 There is nothing, however, in the nature of a bee to be ben- 

 efitted by nursing the sick, or waiting upon the crippled, 

 while often the very noblest traits of humanity, are most 

 beautifully developed by the incessant care and self-denial, 

 required by the weak and helpless of the human family. 

 " The heathen in their bli»dness," may, like the bees, expose 

 their feeble children and aged parents, but it is the glory of 

 man's nature to imitate Him who not only " went about do- 

 ing good," but who " bare our sorrows and carried our sick- 

 nesses," that we who are strong, might learn from bis Godlike 

 example, to lighten the burdens of those who are weak. 



Let us pause for a moment, and contemplate further the 

 admirable arrangement by which the instinct of the bee 

 which disposes it to defend its treasures, is made so perfectly 

 compatible with the safety both of man, and the domestic 

 animals under his care. Suppose that away from home, 

 bees were as easily provoked, as they are in the immediate 

 vicinity of their hives, what would become of our domestic 

 animals, among the clover fields, or on the hill-side pastures ? 

 A tithe of the merry gambols they now so safely indulge 

 in, would speedily bring about them a swarm of these infu- 

 riated insects. In all our rambles among the green fields, 

 we should ourselves be m constant peril ; and no jocund 

 mower could ever whet his glittering scythe, or swing his 

 peaceful weapon, unless first clad in a dress impervious to 

 their stings. In short, the bee, instead of being the friend 

 of man, would be one of his most vexatious enemies, and 

 as in the case of savage wild beasts, unceasing efforts would 

 be made for its utter extermination. 



The sting of a bee often produces very painful, and upon 

 some persons, dangerous effects. I am persuaded, from the 

 result of my own • observation, that the bee seldom stiags 



