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 hy 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 enume- 

 rated 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 



