ANGER OF BEES. 413 



those whose systems are not sensitive to its venom, while it 

 seems to take a special and malicious pleasure in attacking 

 those upon whom its poison produces the most painful 

 effects ! It may be that something in the secretions of such 

 persons, both provokes the attack, and causes its consequen- 

 ces to be more severe. I should not advise those on whom< 

 the sting of a bee produces the most agonizing pain, and vi- 

 olent, if not dangerous symptoms, to devote any attention tO' 

 the practical part of an Apiary. 



I once met with an individual, whose breath, shortly 

 after he was stung, had the same odor with the venom 

 of the enraged insect ! The smell of the poison resembles- 

 almost perfectly that of a ripe banana. It produces a very 

 irritating effect upon the bees themselves ; for if a minute 

 drop is extended to them, on a stick, they at once manifest 

 the most decided anger. This is the reason why after one 

 has inflicted a sting, others are so ready to follow suit. 



On one occasion, after being slung several times on the- 

 back of the same hand, I v/et it with honey, and met with 

 no further annoyance. I should very much prefer,, in my 

 own practice, protecting my hands in this way, to using 

 gloves which often prove an incumbrance. 



The smell of the poison, like the warning blast of the mar- 

 tial trumpet, is a signal to all within reach of its pungent odor, 

 to be ready for using their tiny, but much dreaded weapon. 

 Bees often thrust out their sting, in a threatening manner, 

 even when they do not make an attaek ; when extended from 

 its sheath, it exhibits a minute drop of poison on its point, the 

 odor of which is quickly perceived, and some of it is occa- 

 sionally flirted into the eye of the Apiarian, causing consid- 

 erable itching. 



It is well known that bees are lovers of sweet odors, and 

 that unpleasant ones are very apt to excite their anger. And 

 35* 



