392 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER, the collecting of honey and wax a profession, and it is one attended 
with much danger. Having discovered a hive, some of them kindle 
July 25, &c. a fire under the rock, and throw on it the leaves of the Cassia fis- 
tula, and of the Puleseri, which emit a smoke so acrid, that nothing 
living can endure it. The bees are forced to retire; and some 
others of the Baydas , so soon as the smoke subsides, lower down by 
a rope one of their companions, who with a pole knocks off the nest, 
and is immediately drawn up again; for, if he made any delay, the 
bees would return, and their stinging is so violent, that it endangers 
life. In order to fortify him against the sharp points of rocks, and 
against injury from the rope, which passes round his chest, the ad- 
venturous Bayda is secured, before and behind, by several folds of 
leather. II. The bee, that produces the next greatest quantity of 
honey is called the Cadi, or Chittu Jainu ; that is, stick, or small 
honey. This bee is very small, and builds, around the branch of a 
tree, a comb of an oblong shape, and sharpened at both ends. It is 
found at all seasons, but is in the greatest perfection at the same time 
with the other. The honey is of the finest quality ; but the whole 
comb seldom weighs more than two Beers, or 3^ lb. This bee 
does not sting, and is readily driven away by a twig switched round 
the comb. III. The Tudiway is a bee of which the honey is of an 
excellent quality, but rarely procured ; for it generally builds deep 
in the crevices of rocks, where it is totally inaccessible. Sometimes, 
however, it is found in hollow trees, and one hive will give from 
20 to 25 Seers of honey, or about 12 or 15 pounds ; but the quantity 
of wax is in proportion small. This is a large bee ; but it very sel- 
dom stings those who plunder its hive'. IV. The Togriga is a very 
small bee, that seldom stings. It takes possession of the deserted 
nests of the white ants ( Termes ), which in this country, are very 
numerous in the wastes of red soil, such as is usually cultivated for 
Bagy. Of thip stiff earth, the white ants raise hills resembling the 
stump of a tree, which are from four to six feet high, very hard, 
and able long to resist the heaviest rain. These, when deserted, 
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