182 THE BEE-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 
coloured, besides being a little convex. In some 
seasons honey is abundantly collected when im the 
state of what is termed honcy-dew, a viscous sub- 
stance found adhering to the leaves of particular 
trees, especially the oak.* This occurs largely 
in certain years, whilst in others it is found very 
sparingly or not at all. 
In former editions the following was inserted as a 
note at the end of the section on “ Spring Feed- 
ing :” “I am not amongst the number of those who 
(to my apprehension) go out of their way to 
maintain that this vegetable secretion undergoes 
some kind of chemical change by passing into the 
stomach of the bees (in reality a mere receiving 
bag), from whence it is often regurgitated into the cells 
of the combs in a few minutes, or even seconds, of 
time. Honey doubtless derives both its colour and 
flavour immediately from the plants supplying it; 
the bees not possessing the power of altering either. 
It even sometimes contaims an original poisonous 
matter. Its subsequent thickened consistency natu- 
rally results from the effect of a lowered tempera- 
ture; acting in a greater or less degree, according 
to circumstances, season, &c. That the bees have 
not the ability to change chemically the contents 
received into their honey-bags, is shown by an 
examination of the saccharine mixtures given to 
them as artificial food; in which I never could 
detect any alteration after being stored in the 
* There are two species of honey-dew, the one a genuine exudation 
from the leaf, the other the deposition of one of the aphis tribe. The 
bees resort to both kinds ; but the latter det-riorates the honey sadly 
for human use. Honey from the pine ruins the bees themselves. 
