SOURCES OF HONEY. 99 
seen entering the hives, with pollen, at almost any time 
in the honey season, particularly in the morning before 
the dew is off the grass. It is easier for the bees to 
collect it at this time, as the moisture causes it the more 
readily to adhere to the cavities of the legs. Honey 
when collected is deposited in the stomach of the bee, in 
which it is borne to the hive, and there deposited in cells 
in the comb. The bee has the power of raising this 
honey from its stomach, in the same manner that all 
ruminating animals raise the cud. 
Some have contended that bees cause an injury to all 
kinds of fruit, such as apples, peaches, plums, etc., by 
taking away the substance and sweetness, in the form of 
honey, which otherwise would be absorbed, and eaten 
with the fruit. This is a great mistake. The provisions 
of nature are wise in this respect as in all others. There 
is the strongest evidence to prove that honey, once 
secreted in the cups of the tiny blossoms, never returns 
to the flower or fruit, but evaporates and passes into the 
air. Who, in passing an apple or peach orchard in full 
bloom, has not noticed the delicious fragrance, which is 
undoubtedly honey, which has evaporated from the 
myriads of blossoms. It is very plain to the close 
observer that nature has placed in the cups of flowers 
this honey, expressly as food for the honey bee, and that 
it is in harmony with all her great and wonderful works. 
