64 SUBJECT CONTINUED. 



his tongue into the nest, and sweeps away such 

 of the humming population as are within reach. I 

 have never seen the poto, and cannot, therefore, 

 conjecture in what way he is defended from their 

 stings. We know that bees when irritated rush 

 forth from their citadels, and furiously attack the 

 aggressor, and that it is difficult, if riot impossible, 

 so instantaneously to extinguish life as to render the 

 sting innocuous. The tongue, therefore, must be 

 either covered with an impenetrable skin, or else 

 defended by some glutinous exudation the throat 

 also, and the stomach, must have some peculiar de- 

 fence for terrible instances are recorded of extreme 

 suffering being occasioned, both to men and animals, 

 by eating fruit in which a bee or wasp has been 

 secreted. The body of the poto must be also well 

 protected, or else assuredly he would never venture 

 the second time to carry on such an unequal war- 

 fare. Perhaps his skin is thick, or the hair may be 

 close and strong. The Honey-guide furnishes, 

 among birds, a striking instance of evident design 

 in giving an impenetrable coat of mail to a creature 

 which has to seek its food among angry bees. The 

 feathers, unlike those of the nightingale and goldfinch, 

 the wren or robin, are short and hard, and lie close one 

 upon the other; the skin is thick, and the fibres so 

 pressed together, that it is difficult to penetrate them 

 even with a pin. Thus guarded, the Honey-guide 

 goes forth to seek his favourite food in hollow trees; 

 the busy people, roused in the midst of their daily 

 occupations, may rage and attempt to sting, but he 

 continues to satisfy his hunger unmoved by the 

 clamour that surrounds him. 



