EXOTIC BEES. 213 



honey withdrawn. The hive we saw opened was 

 only partly filled, which enabled us to see the 

 economy of the interior to more advantage. The 

 honey is not contained in the eleganthexagonal cells 

 of our hives, but in wax bags, not quite so large as 

 an egg. These bags or bladders are hung round 

 the sides of the hive, and appear about half full, 

 the quantity being probably just as great as the 

 strength of the wax will bear without tearing. Those 

 near the bottom being better supported, are more 

 filled than the upper ones. In the centre 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. During 

 this 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 neither the power nor the inclination, for 

 they certainly did not hurt us ; and our friends 

 said they were always ' muy manso,' very tame, 

 and never stung any one. The honey gave out 

 a rich aromatic perfume, and tasted differently 

 from ours, but possessed an agreeable flavour." 

 From the periodicals of the last year, I have 



