FOREIGN BEES. 297 



flavoured. The cells are of smaller dimensions than 

 those of the domestic bee ; and it is probable, though 

 not so stated, contain only brood ; the honey being 

 found in small cups or sacklets. The larvse, it ap- 

 pears, are esteemed a delicacy; for the historian 

 tells us, that ({ when roasted and seasoned with salt," 

 they have the taste and flavour of sweet almonds. 

 This species collect their honey stores, and live much 

 in the same way with the honey-bees of Europe. 

 Other small stingless bees are mentioned, which 

 establish themselves under ground, in nests of a 

 globular shape, but of very coarse workmanship ; 

 their honey, too, is inferior, and is never used but in 

 default of better. We have given a figure of a Mexi- 

 can Bee-Nest, constructed by insects of the genus 

 Trigones, copied from Latreille, (PL XXVII.) 



It is probably of the species first mentioned by 

 Hernandez, that Captains Beechey and Hall have 

 given us the details. In domesticating their bees, 

 the Mexicans lodge them in hives formed of short 

 logs of wood, from 2 to 3 feet long, hollowed out 

 about 5 inches in diameter, having the ends filled 

 with clay, or wooden doors removeable at pleasure ; 

 and a hole for entrance bored on one side, about 

 halfway between the ends. They are suspended m 

 a horizontal position from the branches of trees, or 

 from the cottage eaves.* The hive which Captain 

 Hall examined was made of earthen ware, orna- 

 mented with raised figures and circular rings, and 

 was hung in the virandah of a dwelling house. The 



* A hive of this kind was sent to the celebrated Huber. 



