Chap. 8.1 BEES. 7 



the poplar, and is of a denser consistency, the juices of flowers 

 being added to it. Still, however, it cannot be properly termed 

 wax, but rather the foundation of the honey-combs ; by means 

 of it all inlets are stopped up, which might, otherwise,_ serve 

 for the admission of cold or other injurious influences ; it has 

 also a strong odour, so much so, indeed, that many people use 

 it instead of galbanum. 



CHAP. 7. THE MEANING OF ERITHACE, SANBARACA, OB. CEETNTHOS. 



In addition to this, the bees form collections of erithace or 

 bee-bread, which some persons call "sandaraca," 17 and others 

 " cerinthos." This is to serve as the food of the bees while 

 they are at work, and is often found stowed away in the cavi- 

 ties of the cells, being of a bitter flavour also. It is produced 

 from the spring dews and the gummy juices of trees, being 

 less abundant while the south-west wind is blowing, and 

 blackened by the prevalence of a south wind. On the other 

 hand, again, it is of a reddish colour and becomes improved by 

 the north-east wind ; it is found in the greatest abundance upon 

 the nut trees in Greece. Menecrates says, that it is a flower, 

 which gives indications of the nature of the coming harvest ; 

 but no one says so, with the exception of him. 



CHAP. 8. (8.) WHAT ELOWEES AEE USED BY THE BEES IN THEIR 



WOBE. 



Bees form wax 18 from the blossoms of all trees and plants, 

 with the sole exception of the rumex 19 and the echinopodes,* 

 both being kinds of herbs. It is by mistake, however, that 

 spartum is excepted ; 21 for many varieties of honey that come 

 from Spain, and have been made in the plantations of it, have 

 a strong taste of that plant. I am of opinion, also, that it is 

 without any sufficient reason that the olive has been excepted, 

 seeing that it is a well-known fact, that where olives are in 

 the greatest abundance, the swarms of bees are the most nu- 

 merous. Bees are not injurious to fruit of any kind ; they will 



17 Different combinations of the pollen of flowers, on which bees feed. 



18 It is formed from the honey that the bee has digested. 



is Sorrel, or monk's rhubarb. 20 A kind of broom. 



2i Spanish broom, the Stipa tenacissima of Linnoeus. Kopes were made 

 of it. See B. xix. c. 7. 



