Vanden Heuvel on the Honey Bees of Guiana, ^c. 81 



tomed to an attentive observance of external objects, they 

 evince in the discovery of specific differences, an inquisi- 

 tiveness of remark, and nicety of discrimination, which can- 

 not be surpassed by naturahsts whose minds have been dis- 

 ciplined by systematic studies. Not a tree nor a shrub, no 

 «,:reature of the air, of the flood or of the forest, however di- 

 minutive, or however rare, throughout the endless distinc- 

 tion of nature, exists without an Arroivauk denomination. 

 According to the authority referred to, their name iovBee is 

 Ambani ; and every variety is designated by prefixing to 

 this word another, indicative of some analogy which its 

 shape or colour, the acuteness of the sting, or the scent of 

 the honey bears to some other object. Maha is their name 

 for honey, to which, in like manner, to distinguish its seve- 

 ral kinds, they prefix the terra appertaining to that species 

 of Bee from which it is obtained. Thus they say Kurewa- 

 ha-Amhani. Kurewaka is the name of a small Parrot, 

 whose colour that of the Bee bearing this name resembles ; 

 and Kureivaka-Maha, is the honey of that Bee. Hyao- 

 ,lmbani is a Bee whose honey smells like the milky juice 

 exuding from a tree, called Hyao : and Yawahu-Amba,ni is 

 one whose sting causes fever, Yaivahu being their name for 

 Devil, whom they, like most other rude nations, believe to 

 be the cause of all diseases, as well as other calamities with 

 which they are afiiicted. The number of Bees noticed by 

 my informant is twenty-nine, all of whom he asserts are 

 honey Bees ; the quality of the honey, he moreover adds, 

 IS remarkable for its clearness, thickness and sweetness ; 

 the wax of a yellowish brown, imparting a fragrant smell. 

 The following are the Arroivaiik names, as furnished by him. 

 for these species : 



