100 BEE PASTUKACJK. 



would tTiis secretion be discharged, and falling on trie 

 leaves below them, be honey -dew? If they were 

 situated on some lofty trees, and it lodged on the 

 leaves of small bushes near the earth, it would, with 

 some authors. 



Tlie.-e questions I shall not answer at present. As 

 for theory, I shall probably have enough before I get 

 through, where I hope the subject may be more in- 

 teresting.* 



We will now return to the flowers, and see what 

 few there are yet to appear, after the middle of July. 

 The button-ball bush {Cephalanthus Occidentalis) is 

 now much frequented for honey. Also, our vines, 

 melons, cucumbers, squashes, and pumpkins. The 

 latter are visited only in the morning, and honey is the 

 only thing obtained ; notwithstanding the bee is cov- 

 ered with farina, it is not kneaded into pellets on its 

 legs. I have seen it stated that- bees never get honey 

 early in the morning, but pollen instead. Now it is 



* Since the foregoing was written, I have made some further observ- 

 ations on this subject. In August, 1852, 1 noticed, on passing under 

 some willow trees, (Salix Vitellina,) that leaves, grass, and stones, 

 were covered with a wet or shining substance. On looking among the 

 branches, I found nearly all the smallest were covered with a species 

 of large black aphis, apparently engaged in sucking the juices, and 

 occasionally discharging a minute drop of i transparent liquid. I 

 guessed this might be the honey-dew. As this was early in the morn- 

 ing, I resolved to visit this place again, as soon as the sun got up far 

 enough to start out the bees, and see if they collected any of it On 

 my return I found not only bees in hundreds, but ants, hornets, and 

 wasps. Some were on the branches with the aphis, others on the 

 leaves and larger branches. Some of them were even on the stones 

 and grass under the trees, collecting it. 



