FOREIGN BEES. 2?7 



which has come under my observation,, and is every- 

 where eagerly robbed of its honey. None of these 

 nations have the least idea of bringing them under 

 domestic management, but are content to take the 

 honey wherever it is found ; and this being done 

 often at an improper season, they make a useless 

 destruction of the larvae or young bees still in the 

 cells." f( One of the Hottentots observed a number 

 of bees entering a hole in the ground, which had 

 formerly belonged to some animal of the weasel kind. 

 As he made signs for us to come to him, we turned 

 that way, fearing he had met with some accident ; 

 and when the people began to unearth the bees, I 

 did not expect that we should escape without being 

 severely stung. But they knew so well how to 

 manage an affair of this kind, that they robbed the 

 poor insects with the greatest ease and safety. 

 Before they commenced digging, a fire was made 

 near the hole, and constantly supplied with damp 

 fuel to produce a cloud of smoke. In this the work- 

 man was completely enveloped ; so that the bees re- 

 turning from the fields were prevented from ap- 

 proaching, and those which flew out of the nest were 

 driven by it to a distance. Yet the rest of our party, 

 to avoid their resentment, found it prudent either to 

 ride off, or stand also in the smoke. About three 

 pounds of honey were obtained, which, excepting a 

 small share which I reserved till tea-time, they in- 

 stantly devoured in the comb; and some of the 

 Hottentots professed to be equally fond of the larvae. 

 The honey appeared unusually liquid, and nearly as 



