BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 88i 



324. Honey Bke of Europe. 



Thefe ufeful Infeds were fiifl: introduced from England, and 

 have multiplied (o well, as to fpread innumerable colonies over 

 every part of the ifland, fwarms of them being often found in 

 hollow trees in the woods, in holes of rocks, or banks of earth, 

 and other convenient retreats. Several perfons here keep apiaries, 

 which fupply them abundantly with honey for family-ufes, and 

 wax for candles ; and fome families burn none other but their own 

 manufacture. The honey is, in general, aromatic, delicious, and, 

 like the Minorcan, always in a fluid ftate. The honey produced 

 on fugar-plantations is not equal in flavour or quality to what is 

 made in other parts ; for the bees, when they can find a conftant 

 plenty of melafles in their neighbourhood, will not ramble in queft 

 of flowers, but make ufe of the ready-prepared fyrup. The wax 

 is commonly bleached here in the following manner. It is melted 

 in boiling water over a fire ; and, as it floats on the furface, it is 

 taken oif in very thin cakes by dipping-in a plate. When the 

 whole is taken up in this manner, the cakes are laid in the (un- 

 fhine, for two or three days, until the yellow tint is entirely dif- 

 charged ; after which, it is perfedly white, like virgin-wax, and fit 

 for ufe. 



A commodity, fo cheaply produced, fliould excite the inhabitants 

 to extend the number of their apiaries. A moderate induftry would 

 furnifh them with fuHicicnt for their own confumprion; and, in 

 time, with a fuperfluity for export. It is an article annually re- 

 mitted from the Carolinas to Great-Britain, and might with equal 

 advantage be eftablifhed in this ifland. 



325. Wild Bee. 



This is much fmaller than the European, and very frequent in 

 all the South-lide woods. It is remarkable for having no fting ; 

 and is probably the fame fpecies fo common in Guadaloupe. It 

 builds in the hollow boughs of large trees, particularly the locufl", 

 and makes its comb, not with wax, but a compofition of gum, and 

 minute particles of tree-bark, worked into a brownifti pafte, or 

 cement ; which acquires, in time, the firm texture of papier macheCy 

 but thin, and therefore eafily broken in the weaker parts. The 

 Vol. III. S ^ cells 



