20 t 
MANAGEMENT IN SWARMING. 
shrink at the description of some of the dangerous op- 
erations ventured on with such irritable subjects, and 
will be disposed on every occasion of this kind to 
ensconce himself in impenetrable defensive armour. 
In forming artificial swarms, in depriving the bees 
of their hard-earned stores, or interfering in any way 
with the brood, he will do well to protect himself by 
such means. But in regard to natural swarms, he 
need be under no apprehension, and this panoply is 
then quite unnecessary. Every person accustomed 
to work amongst bees, knows how safely he may 
go into the midst of a newly departed swarm, not 
one bee of which will molest him, unless he acci- 
dentally crush or injure it during his operations. 
They are so intent on the great object of their emi- 
gration, the acquisition of a new abode, and so sensi- 
tively anxious about the safety of their mother and 
Queen, that what on ordinary occasions would draw 
forth many a vengeful weapon, now passes utterly 
unheeded by them ; and the cultivator may, in the 
event of their clustering in an inconvenient spot 
for being hived, lift them in handfuls like so much 
grain, without in the least suffering for his boldness. 
The following instances, in proof of this, are very 
interesting, and worthy of being repeatedly brought 
forward, not only as illustrating a remarkable feature 
in the history of the Bee, but as being well calculated 
to inspire confidence in those who are required to 
work amongst these sensitive creatures at the swarm- 
ing season. The first instance is from M. Lombard : 
“ A young girl of my acquaintance was greatly 
