294 
FOREIGN BEES. 
agreeable as that of the others, and the colour the 
same. Like the generality of the Melipona tribe, 
some species deposit their honey not in combs, but 
in small waxen vessels or cups, resembling, from the 
description, those constructed by the humble bees of 
Europe, and about half an inch in diameter. The 
native Indians use it much as food, and after subjec- 
ting it to the process of fermentation, procure from it 
an intoxicating drink. The wax is of a deeper yellow, 
and of a softer consistence than ours. It is never 
whitened, but used in its rude state for lighting the 
country churches. It is found in such abundance in 
the woods that the inhabitants of St. Jago del Estero 
collect yearly in their neighbourhood not less than 
14,000 lbs. weight. 
It may be noticed here that the inhabitants of 
Paraguay find a species of wax on the branches 
of the Guabirami. This is a shrub two or three 
feet high, which produces one of the finest fruits 
in the country. The wax forms the nests of some 
small insects, constructed on the branches of the 
plant ; and these tiny dwelling-places are in shape 
and size like so many pearls, glued together in 
strings or clusters. The substance itself is much 
superior to the wax of any of the bees above de- 
scribed as inhabiting the province, both in solidity 
and whiteness. 
One other species is mentioned by Azara as 
found in Paraguay — and is probably identical with 
one found in Brazil — which suspends its nest from 
the branches of trees. It is about two feet in dia- 
