112 USES OF HONEY HONEY-COMB. 



It is to be regarded, however, as a concentrated solution of sugar t 

 mixed with mucilage, odorous, coloring, gummy, and waxy substances. 

 Its saccharine portion is of two kinds, uncrystalizable, like grape su- 

 gar, and crystalizable like the molasses of the sugar cane. 



The physiological effects are emolient, demulcent, nutritive, and lax- 

 ative. It is said, when fresh, to occasion indigestion and colic, and 

 when collected from poisonous plants, to be deleterious. That of par- 

 ticular places has been known to possess deleterious qualities, causing 

 head-ache, vomiting, and partial intoxication ; and in larger doses, de- 

 privation of all sense and motion for some hours. Similar effects are 

 described by ancient writers. With flour, and spread on a cloth or 

 leather, it is a good application for the maturation of abscesses. It is 

 used also as a gargle, to promote expectoration, as a vehicle in taking 

 medicinal prescriptions, and as an emolient and demulcent in inflam- 

 matory diseases. With barley or rice water and slices of lemon, taken 

 warm, it is excellent for coughs. Mixed with vinegar, jn the pro- 

 portion of 2 Ibs. to 1 of the acid, and boiled slowly to a proper con- 

 sistency, it forms the oxymel simple of the shops. It is thus also im- 

 pregnated with different vegetable juices, and is the basis of several 

 compositions in pharmacy. Clarified honey is prepared by melting the 

 honey in water and removing the scum; this, however, injures the 

 flavor and odor of the honey. 



Honey Comb, a peculiar secretion by the bee, has been supposed to 

 be the pollen of flowers, but it is a secretion from the ventral scales of 

 the abdomen. With the wax, this comb, or hexagonal cells are formed. 

 These are lined by a resinous substance called propolis, collected from 

 the buds of trees. 



_ ^_ These cells are most admirable specimens of art. The 

 front row shows the cells cut across ; the angles of the 

 planes form the roof of each cell, as seen in front. This 

 arrangement gives the most room with the greatest sav- 

 ing of space, work, and wax. Each cell has six plane 

 sides, equal to each other, and strongly secured by a cord 

 around the verge of every cell. The bottom constitutes 

 a solid angle under 3 equal angles. The celerity with which these 

 are constructed, while great numbers are employed, and the formation 

 of 3 or 4 stories at the same time, is worthy of the greatest admira- 

 tion. 



Wax is extensively used in the arts and in medicine. It is extract- 

 ed by heating the comb with a little water in pans, and constantly stir- 

 ring it ; it is then put in a thin linen cloth, and pressed. This is then 

 yellow wax, of a peculiar odor. It is sometimes adulterated with suet 

 or resin, bean or pea meal. The second may be detected by alcohol, 

 in which it dissolves, and the third and fourth by oil of turpentine, in 

 which they are insoluble ; the feel and taste of the first are readily re- 



