FOREIGN BEES. 299 



thin in consistence, but of a very agreeable flavour, 

 and gives out a ricb aromatic perfume. The wax 

 is coarse, and of a brownish yellow ; propolis does 

 not appear to be used. 



The Mexican Bee is smaller by one-fifth than the 

 European, and exhibits that difference in the anatomi- 

 cal structure of the posterior tarsi, already noticed, 

 (page 290) and also in the cubital cells of the upper 

 wings, which has been thought a sufficient reason for 

 regarding the Mexican species and indeed the South 

 American species generally as distinct from that of 

 Europe, and to which has been given the denomina- 

 tion Melipona or Trigona. Many of these species 

 are, as w r e have seen, described as having no stings, 

 or at least so feeble a weapon as to produce no sen- 

 sible injury, and from this circumstance they are 

 known in the Spanish Colonies by the name of 

 Angelitos, or little angels. The population of a 

 hive is generally under a 1000. Like their congeners 

 in Europe, they have enemies to guard against; and 

 the Black Ants occasionally put their vigilance and 

 prowess to the proof, sometimes successfully, but 

 more frequently coming off with the worst. One of 

 the community, accordingly, is constantly stationed 

 as a sentinel at the mouth of the hive keeping her 

 post unrelieved for a whole day ; and as the entrance 

 is wide enough only for the admission of one bee 

 at a time, the sentinel has to withdraw into a small 

 cavity formed within the threshold, as often as a 

 bee enters or leaves the hive. Captain Hall remarks 



