FOREIGN BEES. 
291 
habitations in the cavities of the tranks. The bees of 
Guadaloupe, however, are sometimes found making 
their dwellings in clefts of the rocks, as well as in 
the hollows of trees. Their honey is deposited in 
clusters of cells, or rather cups, which are of the size 
and shape of pigeon-eggs ; and the wax of which 
they are formed, is of a deep violet colour, and of so 
soft a consistence, as materially to diminish its utility. 
The insect itself is distinguished by its diminutive 
size, its jet-black colour, and its want of a sting. 
The bees of Guiana are generally small, and of a 
deep black colour like those of Guadaloupe, but 
armed with a powerful sting. Labat,* however, 
speaks of a species which have no sting, or one so 
feeble, that it cannot pierce the skin ; and states, 
that the natives handle them without dread, and 
without any other inconvenience than a slight tickling. 
There is a species noticed by Stedman, which builds 
its nest in the roofs of houses, and is said to attack 
strangers with the greatest fury, while it does not at 
all molest the regular occupiers of the habitation 
where it has established its residence. Another 
species takes up its abode in the tranks of decayed 
trees ; and if the hollow space is too large for their 
purpose, they contract it by raising above a kind of 
waxen dome. Their honey is of the colour of amber, 
and of an agreeable flavour, but becomes quickly 
acid. The wax is like that of Guadaloupe, of a 
dark violet colour, never hardens, and cannot be 
* V oyage du Chevalier des Marchais a Cayenne, vol. iii. 253. 
