356 The Honey-Makers 



attention, and many stories are told of the influence of the 

 one over the others. Chief among these perhaps is that 

 of the bees of Saint Medard that, we remember, compelled 

 the thief who had stolen them to restore them and make 

 reparation. 



Certain bee-keepers are known to have possessed a re- 

 markable influence over their bees. 



Menzel tells of a singular exhibition of affection on the 

 part of bees, said to have occurred at Nantes in 1777. ^ 

 woman who had been faithful to her bees fell ill, whereupon 

 her little friends came in swarms from their distant hives 

 and flew into her house and her room. 



A better accredited account is that of the English bee- 

 keeper Wildman, who himself explains the secret. 



"When under a strong impression of fear," Wildman 

 says of the bees, " they are rendered subservient to our 

 wills, to such a degree as to remain long attached to any 

 place they afterwards settle upon, and will become so mild 

 and tractable as to bear any handling which does not hurt 

 them, without the least show of resentment. Long ex- 

 perience has taught me, that as soon as I turn up a 

 hive, and give some taps on the sides and bottom, 

 the queen immediately appears. Being accustomed to 

 see her, I readily perceive her at the first glance ; and 

 long practice has enabled me to seize her instantly, with a 

 tenderness that does not in the least endanger her person. 

 Being possessed of her, I can, without exciting any resent- 

 ment, slip her into my other hand, and, returning the hive 

 to its place, hold her till the bees, missing her, are all on 

 the wing, and in the utmost confusion." 



When in this state he could make them alight wherever 

 he pleased ; for on whatever spot he placed the queen, the 

 moment a few of them discovered her the information was 

 communicated to the rest, who in a few minutes were all 



