exercise their strength and industry on these balsar 
plants.* Ati se tad RGN ola an al 
a oy 
CHAPTER XVI. Phe 
ON HONEY, POLLEN, WAX, AND PROPOLIS. 
Sect. 1. Honey isa gummo-saccharine, fermentable sub- _ 
stance, and is the immediate principle of all vegetables — 
without exception. This alimentary substance seems des- 
tined to nourish all plants, particularly in their infancy, 
milk is destined to nourish all viviparous animals. 
found in all flowers, but principally in simple flowers. — 
_ presence is also, afterwards, perceived in ail fruits. It ma 
nifests itself. in the herbs of our meadows, the ears of gr 
in our fields, and in the leaves of all trees. It is also im th 
~ roots, as well as the body, and even to the top of all vegeta 
bles. It exudes from the trunks of trees. It seems to 
- the sowl, and is, in fact, the vital principle of all plants with 
out exception. In losing this substance, all plants in ge 
ral decay. It is the (term) end of their existence. The ft 
of man is impregnated with this fluid, and bees know h 
to find it every where. But as yet it is only a gummo-s 
charine substance, and must pass into the stomach of th 
bee to become honey. As the productions of nature are in 
finitely variegated, so honey, in its consistence, taste, ant 
_ colour, varies according to the productions of every countr 
Bees extract their honey generally from the flowers, leave 
fruits, and bodies of trees and plants. mbt 
The honey, extracted from flowers, is the nectar, wh 
they enclose, so much boasted of by the ancients, who m. 
of it the celestial drink of their gods, and to which th 
_ gave the name of ambrosia.t For this principle of hon 
_we are indebted to the circulation of the sap in spring. — 
_ “ These plats, of simple and aromatic shrubs and plants, prod 
other precious advantages: the honey derives from them an odor 
and balsamic perfume. The plat ought to be at least four feet dis 
from the hives. + 
{ Was not the ambrosia of the ancients, the food of their gods, 
sugar of honey? The nectar was undoubtedly hydromel; and ambro: 
comfets or preserves, made with honey.— Translator. ; = 
