278 MOKEY IN BEES IN ATJSTEALASIA 



one of the world 's best. Unfortunately it is rarely to be 

 purchased. Orange trees are also good for pollen. 



Onion, {Allium Cepa). Onions grown for seed produce 

 honey, which is reported to have the characteristic odour, 

 but improves with age. 



Prickly Pear, {Opuntia monancantha) . This is a great 

 pest in Queensland, and originally came from South 

 America. Queensland bee-keepers report flows of honey 

 from the cactus, and Mr. HoUoway, of Eoma, Queensland, 

 described the colour as light, but he says some honey 

 exhibited at Brisbane, and attributed to Prickly pear, 

 was of a dark tint. During the month of November it 

 yields honey and pollen. 



Paper Bark, {Melaleuca). Blooms in "Western 

 Australia from Christmas to middle of January and is 

 valuable for pollen. 



Prickly Beauty, {Pultencea juniperina) . Along the 

 upper portion of the Snowy Eiver it blooms in September, 

 and Mr. Eeid, sen., of Paupong, New South Wales, says 

 the honey is dark and unsaleable. 



Patterson's Curse, {EcMum violaceum). Known also 

 as Viper's Bugloss. It was introduced to Australia from 

 Europe by a settler named Patterson. Yields honey but 

 hardly sufficient to store much in the supers. Bears pale 

 blue or purple flowers and is a " proclaimed ' ' weed. This 

 is the "Blue thistle" of American writers. Of course it 

 is not a true thistle. 



Pittosporum undulatum. A small tree generally 

 found growing in the moist districts. It is rather popular 

 for hedges. The sweet-scented flowers are at their best 

 during early summer and are useful for pollen (yellowish 

 in colour) and pale-coloured honey. 



Pennyroyal, {Mentha Puleguim). A perennial scent 

 herb yielding ethereal oil. Medicinally it is a powerful 

 stimulant; it is also an insecticide. This herb furnishes 

 a crop of honey in those districts where it abounds. It 

 thrives in moist climates such as "Warragul in Victoria. 

 It has practically over-run the North Island of New 



