442 



THE UNIVERSE. 



cultivated in Sicily, and from which the white and sugary 

 stalactites are collected by means of a wooden knife.' 







■"-^fMf^^---""; 



239. I\Iann.i-tree — Fraxitius ornu.s (Linnceus), and llauua-gathermg in Sicily. — From Houel, 



On the other hand, the trunks and fruits of some curious 

 trees are cj[uite covered with a thick coat of wax, exactly 

 similar to that of the bee, and which is used instead of it 



1 The origin of the different species of manna or sugary exudations which 

 cover trees has at all times been a subject of astonishment among the vulgar, and 



