FOREIGN BEES. 
277 
which has come under my observation, and is every- 
where eagerly robbed of its honey. None of these 
nations have the least idea of bringing them under 
domestic management, but are content to take the 
honey wherever it is found ,- and this being done 
often at an improper season, they make a useless 
destruction of the larvae or young bees still in the 
cells .” — “ One of the Hottentots observed a number 
of bees entering a hole in the ground, which had 
formerly belonged to some animal of the weasel kind. 
As he made signs for us to come to him, we turned 
that way, fearing he had met with some accident ; 
and when the people began to unearth the bees, I 
did not expect that we should escape without being 
severely stung. But they knew so well how to 
manage an affair of this kind, that they robbed the 
poor insects with tho greatest ease and safety. 
Before they commenced digging, a fire was made 
near the hole, and constantly supplied with damp 
fuel to produce a cloud of smoke. In this the work- 
man was completely enveloped ; so that the bees re- 
turning from tlie fields were prevented from ap- 
proaching, and those which flew out of the nest were 
driven by it to a distance. Yet the rest of our party, 
to avoid their resentment, found it prudent either to 
ride off, or stand also in the smoke. About three 
pounds of honey were obtained, which, excepting a 
small share which I reserved till tea-time, they in- 
stantly devoured in the comb ; and some of the 
Hottentots professed to be equally fond of the larv®. 
The honey appeared unusually liquid, and nearly as 
