Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/297

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FOREIGN BEES.
293

demand for it by medical men fully equal to the supply. Another species have their nests in the ground, enveloped like a sugar-loaf in a wrapper formed of a kind of matted fog. This is perhaps the insect met with by Humboldt, while exploring the Silla mountain in the province of Caraccas. It is described as a little smaller than the honey-bee of Europe, and as making its nest in the ground. It seldom flies, moves slowly, and is not apt to use its sting. Amongst the flowers in these regions to which the bees resort, is one which grows on the Tapurriba tree, and which communicates to the honey a peculiar bitterness.

In Paraguay, several species of bees are enumerated by Don Felix d'Azara, the largest of which he describes as more than double the size of the bee of Old Spain; and the smallest as less than a fourth of the size. Few of them, it is said, have stings; but we are disposed to think, with Latreille, that on this part of the organization of exotic bees generally, our information is of doubtful accuracy; and suspect that many of the species which are said to be without stings, do in fact possess the organ, though often a feeble one, but are not readily provoked to use it. The honey of the large bee described by Azara is not considered good; that of another species produces intoxication; and that of a third causes violent pains and convulsions which continue for thirty hours, without, however, leaving behind any farther bad consequences. The country people readily detect this unwholesome kind of honey, although the taste is as