SOtTRCES OP HOKET. 



57 



One could easily be pardoned, in even so matter-of-fact 

 a treatise as this, for pausing a moment to contemplate 

 thoughtfully these wonders with which our pursuit so 

 often brings us in contact, that we fail to appreciate their 

 marvellousness. Thousands upon thousands of pounds of 

 sweetness are produced by millions of tender blossoms, 

 and put into our hands, as it were, by a tiny insect, whose 

 life is at the mercy of every passing storm. 



Teasel. — In those sections where the Puller's Teasel {Dip- 

 sacus Fullonum, fig. 13j, is cultivated, the yield of honey is 



Fig. 13. — fuller's teasel. " Fig. 14. — wild teasel. 



large and of fine quality. I am indebted to Mr. G. M. l)oo- 

 little, of Borodino, N. Y., and Mr. K N. Betsinger, of Mar- 

 cellus, N. Y., for facts in regard to the value of Teasel a? 

 a source of honey. It is cultivated largely in their vicinity, 

 and their bees profit by it to a considerable extent. 



Since becoming familiar with its reputation, I have 

 watched the bloom of the Wild Teasel, {Dipsacus sylves- 

 tris, fig. 14), but as I never could find the bees upon it, and 

 not being informed as to the different species, I could not 

 understand why so much value should be placed upon it 

 as a honey-yielding blossom. Mr. Doolittle informs me 

 that the Wild Teasel, which has a purple blossom, is 

 seldom, if ever, visited by the bees, but the cultivated 



