310 
THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 
ing of their hive, or by the presence of a sweaty horse, 
or any offensive animal, they are terribly vindictive and 
severe, and even dangerous consequences may ensue. As 
our domestic animals may, by ill-treatment, be roused to 
such fury as to endanger our lives, so the most peaceful 
family of bees may be quickly taught to attack any living 
thing that approaches their domicile. 
When a colony of bees is unskillfully dealt with, they 
will “compass about” their assailant with savage feroc- 
ity ; and wo be to him, if they can creep up his clothes, or 
find a single unprotected spot on his person. He will 
fire as badly as the “ Unfortunate Bee-ing ,” so ludi- 
crously depicted in “ Hood’s Comic Sketches.” 
Those who have much to do with bees, should wear a 
bee-hat , unless they are proof against the veno-m of their 
stings; for, while tens of thousands will continue their 
pursuits without annoying those who do not molest them, 
a few dyspeptic bees (p. 256), will come buzzing-ground 
their ears, determined to sting, without the slightest 
provocation. Even these, however, retain some touch of 
grace, amidst all their desperation. Like the scold, whose 
elevated voice gives timely warning to escape the sound of 
her tongue, so a bee bent on mischief, by raising its note 
far above the peaceable pitch, gives fair warning that 
danger is impending. Even then, if it has not been pro- 
voked to madness, it will seldom sting, unless it can plant 
its weapon on the face of its victim, and, if possible, near 
the eye ; for, like all the stinging tribe, it has an intuitive 
perception that this is the most vulnerable spot. If the 
head is quietly lowered, and the face covered with the 
hands, they will follow a person, often for rods, all the time 
sounding their war-note in his ears, and daring the sneak- 
ing fellow to allow them to catch but a glimpse of his 
coward face. 
