404 STINGLESS HONEY BEE. 



thority of a naturalist residing in Demerara, states 

 that the honey sacs in the lower tier rest on the floor, 

 and resemble the broad-bottomed, long-necked bottles 

 used in Holland.) " In the center of the lower part 

 of the hive we observed an irregular shaped mass of 

 comb furnished with cells, like those of our bees, all 

 containing young ones in such an advanced state, 

 that when we broke the comb and let them out, they 

 flew merrily away. 



" The naturalist just referred to says, that these 

 breeding-combs are suspended from the roof of the 

 hive, in separate pieces, about two inches in diameter, 

 and that the cells are on one side only. Captain 

 Beechey states that these combs vary in their posi- 

 tion, some being perpendicular, others horizontal ; 

 and the bees being smaller than those of Europe, 

 the brood cells, as might be expected, are smaller 

 also. During the examination of the hive, the comb 

 and the honey were taken out, and the bees disturbed 

 in every way, but they never stung us, though our 

 faces and hands were covered with them. It is said, 

 however, that there is a bee in the country which 

 does sting, but the kind we saw seem to have neithe'r 

 the power nor the inclination, for they^ certainly did 

 not hurt us, and our friends said they were always 

 muy manso, i very tame,' and never stung any one. 

 The honey gave out a rich aromatic perfume, and 

 tasted differently from ours, but possessed an agree- 

 able flavor. This honey does not readily ferment, 

 but has remained perfectly sweet and grateful after 

 its importation to this country." 



