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Curious Customs and Beliefs in Modern: Aristotle

This was well known to the ancients and concerning it Aristotle says: --- "Bees discover the approach of cold weather and of rain; this is plain, for they will not leave the hive, but even if the day is fine, are occupied in the hive. By this the bee-keepers know that they expect severe weather." And Virgil in the "Fourth Georgic" : - "Nor do they remove to a great distance from their hive when rain impends, or trust the sky when east winds approach; but in safety supply themselves with water all around under the walls of their city, and attempt but short excursions."

It is a common superstition dating from the time of Pliny, or probably long before, that bees cannot endure an echo and will not remain in a country where echoes are common.

They are not, however, considered averse to all noises, as we know.

The ringing of church bells is believed to give pleasure to the bees, wherefore one can, by pounding on metal Curious Customs and Beliefs instruments, restrain them when swarming, and induce them to settle instead of flying away.

The belief that bees can be stopped by noise was common in the time of Aristotle and is thus referred to by him: "Bees also appear to have pleasure in noises, so that they say that they collect them into their hives by striking earthen vessels and making noises."

Observe the caution with which Aristotle makes the statement and he immediately adds: - "But it is very doubtful whether they hear or not, and if they hear whether they collect together from pleasure or from fear." - Evidently the mental characteristics of the scientist have in no wise changed since the time of Aristotle - only time has revealed somewhat more accurate methods for finding results.

The real origin of the wide-spread belief that a loud noise will prevent the bees from leaving is somewhat obscure. It is not improbable, however, that the custom of making a noise arose for very utilitarian reasons, with which the weapon-dance of the Curetes and the church bells alike had nothing to do, these being later fictions to account for a primitive custom.

A swarm of bees is easily lost, as it flies swiftly, and at the departure of one the ringing of bells or otherwise making a din would put everybody on the guard to track it. Also, if the neighbors were notified of the leaving of a swarm they would know to whom it belonged if it came to them and would have an opportunity of restoring it. Whoever loses a swarm of bees is at liberty to follow them wherever they go, and "by one of the laws of Alfred the Great all keepers were bound to ring a bell when their bees were swarming, to give notice to their neighbors of the fact."

Mirrors and bright tin pans are in some places used to reflect the sun upon the swarm, which, it is believed, will cause it to settle instead of flying away.

Although the bee has a reputation for exceeding great virtue and is said to loathe dishonesty in man to such a degree that it will pine and die under the care of a dishonest keeper, the facts do not wholly warrant the fable, for it is well known that during a period of scarcity it will steal the stores of other bees if it can get a chance. In fact the robbing propensity of bees is one of the difficulties of beekeeping. There used to be a way of controlling this, however, and that was by the magic use of the gimlet. If one turned this instrument forward in the wood or straw of which the hive was made, at the same time naming the three highest names, he could drive his own bees to successful robbery; if he turned it backwards he could thus prevent stranger bees of thieving intent from entering his hives.

Another preventive to robbery is to fasten the windpipe of a marten or polecat at the entrance hole to the hive, in such a way that the bees must pass it in going in and out. It has the power of checking the course of the robber bees. The smoke of wormwood grown in a graveyard is also believed to be an efficient deterrent against robbers. Thieving bees are not the only enemies to the hives, however. Toads are fond of a meal of bees, and in Pomerania a so-called toad-stone is placed under the hive to banish these nuisances; while as a charm against honey-stealing ants, fish spawn in some places is put near the entrance hole.

A truly beautiful relation exists between the German bee-keeper and his little subjects which is well expressed by his name of "bee-father."

A very pleasing custom still lingers in parts of Germany, Curious Customs and Beliefs practised at the time the honeycombs are taken from the hives.

Then the bee-father sends honey as a gift to his neighbor, for the bees have collected their sweets in part from the neighbor's flowers. If this poetic act of justice is omitted the bee-father is punished by a poor honey-harvest the next season.

Sick bees and empty combs are also the punishment of that unworthy bee-father who refuses honey to the sick, while he who withholds honey from children sins against Mary the mother, and Joseph the foster-father of the child Jesus.

The idea of purity in connection with the bee extended to its keepers, and Moffett only expresses the opinions of the ancients when he says, - "Furthermore, to keep these good pay-masters, and to make them in love with you, you must remove from their Hives mouthes, unlucky, mischievous, and deceitful people, and idle persons that have nothing to do, causing them to stand further off." All unclean people, odors and objects were considered obnoxious to the bees, and the superstition still lingers in some places, so that when the bee-father is about to remove the combs he must first clean and purify his own body. He must for several days refrain from strong-smelling food, as salt meat, sea fish, onions and garlic. He must use no salves and drink no intoxicant.

It is also unwise to wear a red garment when going to the bees, as it is said they will think you a "murtherer or man of blood," and in some places it is said that bees will sting any red-haired person who comes near the hives.

No doubt the bees learn to know -- and may it not be to feel a regard for their human companions. The close relation between the master and his bees has not escaped attention, and many stories are told of the influence of the one over the others. Chief among these perhaps is that of the bees of Saint Medard that, we remember, compelled the thief who had stolen them to restore them and make reparation.

Certain bee-keepers are known to have possessed a remarkable influence over their bees. A Menzel tells of a singular exhibition of affection on the part of bees, said to have occurred at Nantes in 1777. woman who had been faithful to her bees fell ill, whereupon her little friends came in swarms from their distant hives and flew into her house and her room.