66 
found in the flowers of the arbuste of the fields, in the month 
of November, and the bees would go thither to forage, when 
invited even by the smallest portion of sunshine. But what 
still further aids the illusion on the pretended fall of honey- 
dew from the upper atmosphere, is, that it is only the up- 
per part, or side of the leaves, which is moistened with it. 
It has been seen above, (page 63) that the moisture comes — 
only on certain leaves, that is to say, on the old and the — 
least exposed, and this predilection cannot be the effect of 
chance. Besides, it is known, that it is on the side of the 
leaf, where the pores are most open and marked, that the — 
greatest transpiration takes place. It is there that the excre- 
; 
t, 
oP 
tory vessels terminate, by which the humours of the plant ; 
escape. And also the absorbents, which serve for their nu- 
trition, by attracting moisture from the rain,and from vapours — 
floating in the air. 
From the combined proofs just presented, it is certain that 
the first kind of honey-dew transpires from the leaves of — 
certain trees, and that it does not fall on them. It would be 
unreasonable to fatigue this illustrious assembly, and would | 
seem to distrust the penetration and intelligence of those 
who compose it, to insist further, by additional proofs. [ 
haste to pass to the other kind of honey-dew, first mentioned, 
with that on which I have just treated.* 
No one has yet observed (that I know of) this second spe- — 
cies, the only resource left for bees (or nearly so) when 
spring has passed, with the greater part of the flowers 
which embellished it, and that the honey-dew, by transpira- 
tion, yields only for a few days, in very warm weather. 
The origin of this second honey-dew is far from bein 
celestial, being produced immediately by a vile and hideous 
insect, or what seems to be so; and (for it must be named) 
it proceeds from a filthy bug, (puceron,) and is the very ex- 
crement of that puceron, ejected from its rear, or dis- 
charged from its posteriors. ‘This ejection, however, is a 
component part of the most delicate honey on which we 
regale. But without pausing, with the vulgar, at names and 
prejudices, it is certain that this excrement, which is fluid, 
and which deserves rather the name of elixir, yields in no- 
thing to that which the other honey-dew possesses, of the 
sweet and agreeable. ‘ 
* These observations were read at the sitting of the Royal Society 
of Sciences, at Montpellier, December, 16th, 1762. 
