In Greece and Italy 311 



times done, as Aristotle says that many bees perish by the 

 fumes of sulphur, though he also incidentally informs us 

 upon the other side of this interesting subject, where he 

 says, — 



" The bees do not hunt for prey, but they both produce 

 and lay up stores. This is plainly shown when the honey- 

 dealers attempt to take the combs. When they are fumi- 

 gated and suffering from the effects of the smoke, they 

 devour the honey greedily, which they are not observed to 

 do at other times ; but they spare it and store it up for 

 food." 



Smoking wild bees to get their honey was practised, as 

 Apollonius Rhodius, who lived a little later than Aristotle, 

 tells us in his " Argonauts," where the Greek heroes 

 affrighted the overweening Bebryces who attacked them, — 



" As shepherds or bee-keepers smoke a mighty swarm of 

 bees in a rock ; and these the while, all huddled in their 

 hive, buzz round confusedly ; and far from the rock they 

 dart, smoked right through by the sooty fumes ; so these 

 men no longer abode steadfastly, but fled routed within 

 Bebrycia, carrying the news of the death of Amycus." 



Virgil also compares the disorder among the Latins at 

 the onset of ^neas to a swarm of bees driven forth by 

 smoke : ■ — 



"Among the trembling citizens dissension arises; some 

 press to dismantle the town, and open the gates to the 

 Trojans, and drag the king himself to the ramparts. Others 

 take up arms, and march on to defend the walls. 



" As when a shepherd hath traced out a swarm of bees 

 enclosed in some harboring cleft, and filled their cells with 

 bitter smoke ; they within, alarmed for their affairs, in 

 trepidation run hither and thither through the waxen camp, 

 and with loud buzzing whet their rage : through their cells 

 the black stench is rolled ; then with faint murmur the 



