On the Threshold of the Hive 
more effectively to defend the treasure they 
gather from his beneficent hours. 
It is true that were some one, who neither 
knows nor respects the customs and character 
of the bee, suddenly to fling open the hive, 
it would turn at once into a burning-bush 
of heroism and anger ; but the slight amount 
of skill that is needed to handle it with im- 
punity can be most readily acquired. Let 
but a little smoke be deftly applied, much 
coolness and gentleness be shown, and our 
well-armed workers will suffer themselves to 
be despoiled without dreaming of drawing 
their sting. It is not the fact, as some have 
maintained, that the bees recognise their 
master, nor have they any fear of man; 
but, at the smell of the smoke, at the large, 
slow gestures that traverse their dwellings 
without threatening them, they imagine that | 
this is not the attack of an enemy against 
whom defence is possible, but that it is a 
force or a natural catastrophe whereto they 
do well to submit. Instead of vainly strug- 
gling, therefore, they do what they can to 
safeguard the future; and, obeying a fore- 
sight that for once is in error, they fly to 
21 
