ANGER OF BEES. 
313 
the hive by their pitiless companions. It is, however, a 
necessary law of their economy, that those who cannot 
work, shall not eat ; nor is there anything in the nature 
of a bee, that can be benefitted by nursing the sick, while 
the noblest traits of humanity are often developed by the 
incessant care bestowed upon the weak and helpless. 
Iluber has demonstrated, that bees have an exceedingly 
acute sense of smell, and that unpleasartt odors quickly 
excite their anger.* Long before his time, Butler said, 
“ Their smelling is excellent, whereby, when they fly aloft 
into the air, they will quickly perceive anything under 
them that they like, even though it be covered.” They 
have, therefore, a special dislike to those whose habits 
are not neat,f and who bear about them a perfume not in 
the least resembling 
“ Sabcan odors 
From the spicy shores of Araby the blest.” 
A sweaty horse is detested by bees, and, when assailed 
by them, is often killed ; as, instead of running away, like 
most other animals, it will plunge and kick until it falls 
overpowered. The Apiary should be fenced in, to prevent 
horses and cattle from molesting the hives. 
The sting of a bee, upon some persons, produces very 
painful, and even dangerous effects. I have often noticed 
that, while those whose systems are not sensitive to the 
venom, are rarely molested by bees, they seem to take a 
malicious pleasure in stinging those upon whom their 
• Strong perfumes, however pleasant to us, are disagreeable to boes; and Aris- 
totle observes, that they will sting those scented with them. I havo known per- 
sons ignorant of tills fact to be severely treated by bees. 
t Some persons, however cleanly, arc assaulted hv bees as soon as they approaeh 
their hivos. It is rolated of a distinguished Apiariau that, after a sovore attack 
of fevor, ho was never ablo to be on good terms with his hoes. That they can 
readily percci vo the slightest differences in smell, is apparent from tho fact that any 
number of colouics, foil from a common vessel, will bo gentlo towards ouch other, 
\yhllo they will assull the ilrst straugo bco that alights on the feeder. 
u 
