14-8 A NATURAL HISTORY 



One may, with the naked Eye, fometimes fee this little In- 

 fedt difcharge its Venom, in which, fays the ingenious Dr. Mead, 

 by the help of a Glafs, I can eafily difcover a great Nutnber of 

 minute Salts floathzg. In Brazil, 5^^^ are diftinguifli'd into twelve 

 kinds, among which are fome that fting in a moft furious and 

 fatal manner, called Mateecas by the India?is. 



I N Ceylon in the Eaji Indies, are feveral Bees, the largeft are of 

 a brighter Colour than ours ; they make their Combs on the Boughs 

 of Trees : At proper Seafons, the Inhabitants hold Torches under 

 them, till they drop down, which they carefully gather, boil and 

 eat, and are accounted excellent Food. In ^latetnala are Bees and 

 Honey of a white Colour, and fome without a Sting, fays the 

 Hiftorian *. 



n. To the Bee, I add the J^^ajp, which, as it is fomething 

 larger, makes a deeper Wound ; it differs alfo from it in its Food, 

 which is Flelh and Carrion, when it can be got ; whereas the Bee 

 regales itfelf with delicious Entertainments, and enriches its Fa- 

 mily with all the Glories of the vegetable Kingdom. From whence 

 is the Honey ? I anfwer. That in Flowers is found a vifcid fweet 

 Juice, and accordingly we fee Children gather Cowflips, Honey- 

 fuckles, and fuck the Honey from them. The Bees vifit all 

 Flowers within their Reach, and putting it in their Trunks, fuck 

 out the Honey, with which they load their Stomachs, to be dif- 

 charg'd, and laid up in their Combs. Among the Antients, Ho- 

 ney was taken for a Dew that fell on Flowers ; but this is a mi- 

 Itake, becaufe the Bees only gather it after the Sun is up, whea 

 there is no Dew left, or very little. 



III. The Hornet is yet more dangerous, and has been known 

 to purfue a Sparrow, and kill it, and then fuck its Blood. The 

 Hcrnet and Wafp have flrong Jaws tooth'd, by which they can 

 dig into Fi nits, lor Suftenance 5 yea^ and into harder Subflances, 

 for Quarters. 



I F you take a Bee, a Wafp, or Hornet, and gently fqueeze 

 the Tail, fo that you can fee the Sting, you may perceive a Drop 

 of tranfpaient Liquor at the very end of it; which if wiped ofi^ 

 you ihall foon fee it renew'd, that Liquid paffing down the Ca- 



4 v"y 



* Nisremherptis, p. zi6. 



