Chap. S.] 
BEES. 
7 
the poplar, and is of a denser consistency, the juices of flowers 
being added to it. Still, however, it cannot be properly termed 
wax, but rather the foundation of the honey-combs ; by means 
of it all inlets are stopped up, which might, otherwise, serve 
for the admission of cold or other injurious influences; it has 
also a strong odour, so much so, indeed, that many people use 
it instead of galbanum. 
CHAP. 7. THE MEANING OF EKITHACE, SANDAEACA, OE CEETNTHOS. 
In addition to this, the bees form collections of erithace or 
bee-bread, which some persons call *^ sandaraca,''^''^ and others 
cerinthos." This is to serve as the food of the bees while 
they are at work, and is often found stowed away in the cavi- 
ties of the cells, being of a bitter flavour also. It is produced 
from the spring dews and the gummy juices of trees, being 
less abundant while the south-west wind is blowing, and 
blackened by the prevalence of a south wind. On the other 
hand, again, it is of a reddish colour and becomes improved by 
the north-east wind ; it is found in the greatest abundance upon 
the nut trees in Greece. Menecrates says, that it is a flower, 
which gives indications of the nature of the coming harvest ; 
but no one says so, with the exception of him. 
CHAP. 8. (8.) WHAT FLOWEES AEE USED BY THE BEES IN THEIE 
WOEK. 
Bees form wax^^ from the blossoms of all trees and plants, 
with the sole exception of the rumex^^ and the echinopodes,^® 
both being kinds of herbs. It is by mistake, however, that 
spartum is excepted ; for many varieties of honey that come 
from Spain, and have been made in the plantations of it, have 
a strong taste of that plant. I am of opinion, also, that it is 
without any suflicient reason that the olive has been excepted, 
seeing that it is a well-known fact, that where olives are in 
the greatest abundance, the swarms of bees are the most nu- 
merous. Bees are not injurious to fruit of any kind ; they will 
'^'^ DijQferent combinations of the pollen of flowers, on which bees feed. 
^® It is formed from the honey that the bee has digested. 
19 Sorrel, or monk's rhubarb. 20 ^ of broom, 
21 Spanish broom, the Stipa tenacissima of Linnaeus. Ropes were made 
of it. See B. xix. c. 7. 
