FOREIGN BEES. 
207 
flavoured. The cells are of smaller dimensions than 
those of the domestic bee ; and it is probable, though 
not so stated, contain only brood ; the honey being 
found in small cups or sacklets. The larvse, it ap- 
pears, are esteemed a delicacy ; for the historian 
tells us, that “ when roasted and seasoned with salt,” 
they have the taste and flavour of sweet almonds. 
This species collect their honey stores, and live much 
in the same way with the honey-bees of Europe. 
Other small stingless bees are mentioned, which 
establish themselves under ground, in nests of a 
globular shape, hut of very coarse workmanship ; 
their honey, too, is inferior, and is never used hut in 
default of better. We have given a figure of a Mexi- 
can Bee-Nest, constructed by insects of the genus 
Trigones, copied from Latreille, (PI. XXVII.) 
It is probably of the species first mentioned by 
Hernandez, that Captains Beechey and Hall have 
given us the details. In domesticating their bees, 
the Mexicans lodge them in hives formed of short 
logs of wood, from 2 to 3 feet long, hollowed out 
about 5 inches in diameter, having the ends filled 
with clay, or wooden doors removeable at pleasure ; 
and a hole for entrance bored on one side, about 
halfway between the ends. They are suspended in 
a horizontal position from the branches of trees, or 
from the cottage eaves.* The hive which Captain 
Hall examined was made of earthen ware, orna- 
mented with raised figures and circular rings, and 
was hung in the virandah of a dwelling house. The 
* A hive of this kind was sent to the celebrated Huber. 
