EG N7VEBSITY 



HONEY. 191 



I here agree with Mr. Bevan, but will add that the 

 bees impart a peculiar musk which gives the honey 

 a sharpish, pungent taste found in no other sweet. 

 This is more perceptible in honey made in cold cli- 

 mates than that made in warm ; the reason is, the 

 bees are compelled to cluster in large masses in the 

 former in order to maintain animal heat ; this process 

 also creates the musk thus imparted, while in the 

 latter, where a high temperature prevails, they are 

 enabled to build comb with scarcely any cluster sur- 

 rounding ; in this case but little musk is imparted to 

 the honey. 



This musk is the probable cause of honey inducing 

 colic in some persons, so that they cannot use it 

 when new ; but after it has attained age, it loses this 

 effect, proving to my mind that the musk is the cause. 



"The power of re gurgitation in the bee is very 

 remarkable ; its alimentary organs, like those of the 

 ^pigeon, besides being subservient to the purposes of 

 nutriment, afford a temporary store-room, or reser- 

 voir. Ruminating animals may be considered as 

 regurgitating animals, though in them the operation 

 is performed for different purposes. In some it is 

 exercised for the purpose of digesting the food, in 

 others for feeding the young ; but in bees its use is 

 to enable them to disburden themselves of the honey 

 which they gather for the winter's store of the com- 

 munity. " 



" The finest flavored and most delicate honey is 

 that which is collected from aromatic plants and has 



