196 THE HONEY-BEE. 



the republic ; but in the north, the only insect 

 of the kind more resembles the bumble-bee 

 than that of our hives ; and builds in rocks 

 and holes in the ground, in some parts of the 

 mountains. They unite in but small num- 

 bers (some dozens together), and seldom make 

 over a few ounces of honey, which is said, 

 however, to be of agreeable flavor. 



As to files, like the high plains, this dry 

 climate is but httle infested — particularly with 

 the more noxious kinds. Fresh meats are 

 preserved and dried in mid-summer without 

 difficulty, as there are very few blow-flies. 

 Horse-flies are not seen except sometimes in 

 the mountains : the prairie-fly, so tormentmg 

 to stock with us in the West, is unknown. 



