PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 203 
asparagus was in blossom, which a large number were 
attending, I happened to go between my asparagus beds ; 
which discomposed them so much, that I was obliged to 
retreat with: hasty steps, and some of them flew after me; 
I escaped however unstung. ‘Thorley relates an anec- 
dote of a gentleman, who, desirous of securing a swarm 
of bees that had settled in a hollow tree, rashly undertook 
to dislodge them. He succeeded; but though he had 
used the precaution of securing his head and hands, he 
was so stung by the furious animals, that a violent fever 
was the consequence, and his recovery was for some time 
doubtful. The strength of his constitution at length pre- 
vailed; and the hole of the tree being stopped, the survi- 
vors of the battle settled upon a branch, were hived, and be- 
came the dear-bought property of their conqueror?. 
In Mungo Park’s last mission to Africa, he was much 
annoyed by the attack of bees, probably of the same tribe 
with our hive-bee. His people, in search of honey, dis- 
turbed a large colony of them. The bees sallied forth 
by myriads, and attacking men and beasts indiscrimi- 
nately, put them all to the rout. One horse and six 
asses were either killed or missing in consequence of their 
attack; and for half an hour the bees seemed to have 
completely put an end to their journey. Isaaco upon an- 
other occasion lost one of his asses, and one of his men 
was almost killed by them >. 
Bees, however, if they are not molested, are not usually 
ill-tempered : if you make a captive of their queen, they 
@ Thorley, 16— The Psalmist alludes to the fury of these crea- 
tures, when he says of his enemies, “ They compassed me about like 
Beer 08 eesvexwiitwl2, 
b Park’s Last Mission, 153. 297. Comp. Journal, 331. 
