POISONOUS HONEY OF NORTH AMERICA. 165 



elm countries they do not thrive ; but the truth of which I am 

 yet to learn *". 



In South-Carolina, in Georgia, and in the two Floridas, but Diftri&s where 

 more efpecially in Eaft-Florida, the inftances of injuries from ^ f ^ J"^ 1 * 

 the eating of wild-honey are more numerous than in any other 

 parts of North-America, that are known to us. 



There is a tract of country included between the rivers 

 St. Ilia and St. Mary's in Eaft-Florida, that is remarkable for 

 abounding in vaft numbers of bees. Thefe infects, which 

 were originally introduced into Florida by the Spaniards f, 

 have encreafed into innumerable fwarms, from the facility 

 wilii which they procure their food, in perhaps the richeil 

 flowered-country of North-America. In this trad of country, 

 the alarming effects of wild-honey are often experienced, by 

 the fettlers, by wandring hunters, and by favages. 



It j,s highly probable, that this poifonous honey is procured ^ e ^ eratum# 

 from a confiderable number of the flowers of the countries flowers that 

 wluch I have mentioned. A complete lift of thefe flowers afford iU 

 would be acceptable : but fuch a lift it will be difficult to pro- 

 cure at prefent. Perhaps, my hints may induce fome intelli- 

 gent native of the country to favour us with his obfervations 

 on the fubject. Meanwhile, I am happy to have it in my 

 power to mention fome of the vegetables from whole flowers 

 the bees extract a deleterious honey, not only in the country 

 between the St. Ilia and St. Mary's, but alfo in fome other 

 parts of North-America, 



Thefe vegetables are the kalmia anguftifolia and latifolia Enumeration of 

 of Linnaeus, the kalmia hirfuta of Walter j, the andromedu 

 mariana, and fome other fpecies of this genus. 



I. Every American has heard of the poifonous properties Kalmia angus- 

 of the kalmia anguftifolia and latifolia, The former of thefe f ji a . 

 plants is known, in the United States, by the names of dwarf- 

 laurel, ivy, lambkill, &c. It has long been known, that 

 its leaves, when eaten by (beep, prove fatal to them. The 

 following fact will fliow that the flowers likewife are endued 

 with a poifonous property. 



* Silva : or a Difcourfe on Foreft-trees, &c p. 133 and 134 # 

 Dr. Hunter's edition. 



f See Tranfaclions of the American Philofophical Society, 

 Vol. III. No. 31. 



| Flora Carolinians, p. 138. 



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