58 On the POISONOUS HONEY 



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

 am vet to learn."* 



In South-Carolina, in Georgia, and in the two Flori- 

 das, but more efpecially in Eaft-FIorida, the inftances of 

 injuries from the eating of wild-honey are more numer- 

 ous than in any other parts of North-America, that are 

 known to us. 



There is a tra6l of country included between the ri- 

 vers St. Ilia and St. Mary's, in Eafi-Florida, that is re- 

 markable for abounding in vaft numbers of bees. Thefe 

 infects, which were originally introduced into Florida by 

 the Spaniards,"!" have encreafed into innumerable fwarms, 

 from the facility with which they procure their food, in 

 perhaps the richeft flowered-country of North- America. 

 In this tract of country, the alarming effedts of the wild- 

 honey are often experienced, by the fettlers, by wander- 

 ing hunters, and by favages. 



It is highly probable, that this poifonous honey is pro- 

 cured from a confiderable number of the flowers of the 

 countries which I have mentioned. A complete lift of 

 thefe flowers would be acceptable : but fuch a lift it will 

 be diflScult to procure at prelent. Perhaps, my hints 

 may induce fome intelligent native of the country to fa- 

 vour us with his obfervations on the fiibjedt. Mean- 

 while, I am happy to have it in my power to mention 

 fome of the vegetables from whofe flowers the bees ex- 

 tradl 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 anguftlfolia and lati- 

 folia of Linnxus, the kalmia hirfuta of Walter,;}; the 

 andromeda maiiana, and fome other fpecies of this genus. 



1. Every 



* Silva : or a Difconrfe on Foretl -trees, &c. p. 133 and 134. Dr. 

 Hunter's edition. 



•f- See Tranfaflions of the American Philofophical Society. Vol. Ill, 

 i^o. 3t. 



it Flova Caroliniana, p. 138. 



