FOREIGN BEES. 
203 
demand for it by medical men fully equal to the 
supply. Another species have their nests in the 
ground, enveloped like a sugar-loaf in a wrapper 
formed of a kind of matted fog. This is perhaps 
the insect met with by Humboldt, while exploring 
the Silla mountain in the province of Caraccas. It 
is described as a little smaller than the honey-bee of 
Europe, and as making its nest in the ground. It 
seldom flies, moves slowly, and is not apt to use its 
sting. Amongst the flowers in these regions to 
which the bees resort, is one which grows on the 
Tapurriba tree, and which communicates to the 
honey a peculiar bitterness. 
In Paraguay, several species of bees are enume- 
rated by Don Felix d’Aznra, the largest of which he 
describes as more than double the size of the bee of 
Old Spain ; and the smallest as less than a fourth of 
the size. Few of them, it is said, have stings ; but 
we are disposed to think, with Latreille, that on this 
part of the organization of exotic bees generally, our 
information is of doubtful accuracy ; and suspect that 
many of the species which are said to be without 
stings, do in fact possess the organ, though often a 
feeble one, but are not readily provoked to use it. 
The honey of the large bee described by Azara is not 
considered good ; that of another species produces 
intoxication ; and that of a third causes violent pains 
and convulsions which continue for thirty hours, 
without, however, leaving behind any farther bad 
consequences. The country people readily detect this 
unwholesome kind of honey, although the taste is as 
