HONEY-DEW. 29 



colour. The flavour of clover -honey is good and pun- 

 gent, but not so rich and pleasing to the palate as that of 

 sycamore and gooseberry. 



Honey gathered from heather-blossoms is considerably 

 darker in colour than any other pure honey gathered in 

 Great Britain and Ireland. It has a much stronger fla- 

 vour too — peculiarly grousey. This heather-honey, though 

 to appearance of greater substance and consistence, is con- 

 siderably lighter iu weight, taking bulk for bulk. The 

 clear sort goes to the bottom of the jar, and swims the 

 heather-honey when both go together. 



CHAPTEE VIII. 



HONEY-DEW. 



This material is found on the upper surface of the leaves 

 of some trees, has a shining appearance, and is sticky to 

 the touch. Many ignorant people think that it falls from 

 the skies during the night. It is simply the product of 

 an insect (aphis) found frequently on the under sides of 

 the leaves of some kinds of trees. This insect is most 

 plentiful in times of prevalent east winds ; and it is well 

 known that flowers yield very little honey indeed when 

 winds come from either east or north. In these times of 

 scarcity bees work on these shining leaves, and thus col- 

 lect honey-dew. It is dark in colour — disagreeable both 

 to the eye and the palate ; and is a great nuisance to bee- 

 keepers whose aim is profit. It is a great pity that bees 

 touch it at alL 



Oaks, sycamores, limes, and beeches are the trees most 



