170 
THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 
sweetened water or smoke, the first manifestations of 
anger ; for as bees communicate their sensations to each 
other with almost magic celerity, while a whole colony 
will quickly catch the pleased or subdued notes uttered by 
a few, it will be roused to instant fury by the shrill note 
of anger from a single bee. When once they are thor- 
oughly excited, it will be found very difficult to subdue 
them, and the unfortunate operator, if inexperienced, will 
often abandon the attempt in despair. 
It cannot be too deeply impressed upon the beginner, 
that nothing irritates bees more than breathing upon 
them or jarring their combs. Every motion should be 
deliberate, and no attempt whatever made to strike at 
them. If inclined to be cross, they will often resent even 
a quick pointing at them with the finger, by darting upon 
it, and leaving their stings behind. A novice, or a person 
liable to be stung, will, of course, protect his face and 
hands. 
Directions have been given (p. 165), for removing the 
spare honey-board from the hive. As soon as it is dis- 
posed of, the Apiarian should sprinkle the bees with the 
sweet solution. This should descend from the watering- 
pot in a fine stream, so as not to drench tlie bees, and 
should fall upon the tops of the frames, as well as between 
the ranges of comb. The bees, accepting the proffered 
treat, will begin to lap it up, as peaceably as so many 
chickens helping themselves to corn. While they aro 
thus engaged, the frames which have been glued fast to 
the rabbets by the bees, must be very gently pried loose ; 
this may be done without any serious jar, and without 
wounding or enraging a single bee ; the rabbets being 
wide enough to allow the frames to be pried from the 
rear to the front, or vice versa. If the rabbets were only 
just wide enough to receive the shoulders of the frames, 
