114 
THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 
and buzzing, passing and repassing, wheeling about in 
rapid circles, like a group of maddened bacchanals. Out 
runs the good housewife, with the frying-pan and key — 
the orthodox instruments for ringing — and never ceases 
her rough music, till the bees have settled. This custom, 
as old as the birth of Jupiter, is one of the most pleasing 
and exciting of the countryman’s life ; and there is an old 
colored print of bee-ringing still occasionally met with on 
the walls of a country inn, that has charms for us, and 
makes us think of bright sunny weather in the dreariest 
November day. Whether, as Aristotle says, it affects 
them through pleasure or fear, or whether, indeed, they 
hear* it at all, is still as uncertain as that philosopher left 
it ; but we can wish no better luck to every bee-master 
that neglects the tradition, than that he may lose every 
swarm for which he omits to raise this time-honored con- 
cert.” 
If, before its issue, a swarm has selected a new home, 
no amount of noise will compel them to alight, but as'soon 
as the emigrating colony have all left the hive, they fly 
in a “ bee-line” to the chosen spot. I have noticed, that 
such unceremonious leave-taking, though quite common 
when bees are neglected, seldom occurs when they are 
properly cared for. 
When the Apiarian perceives that a swarm, instead of 
clustering, rises higher and higher in the air and means to 
depart, not a moment must be lost : instead of empty 
noises, he should resort to means much more effective to 
stay their vagrant propensities. Water or dirt thrown 
among them, will often so disorganize them as to compel 
them to alight. The most original of all devices for stop- 
* Tho piping of the queen has a Bbrlll, metallic sound, which possibly may be 
overpowered by the ringing, so as to distract bees which intend to decamp, and 
cause them to alight. 
