FOREIGN BEES. 
299 
tliin in consistence, but of a very agreeable flavour, 
and gives out a rich aromatic perfume. The wax 
is coarse, and of a brownish yellow ; propolis does 
not appear to be used. 
The Mexican Bee is smaller by one-fifth than the 
European, and exhibits that difference in the anatomi- 
cal structure of the posterior tarsi, already noticed, 
(page 290) and also in the cubital cells of the upper 
wings, which has been thought a sufficient reason for 
regarding the Mexican species — and indeed the South 
American species generally — as distinct from that of 
Europe, and to which has been given the denomina- 
tion Melipona or Trigona. Many of these species 
are, as we have seen, described as having no stings, 
or at least so feeble a weapon as to produce no sen- 
sible injury, and from this circumstance they are 
known in the Spanish Colonics by the name of 
A ngelitos, or little angels. The population of a 
hive is generally under a 1000. Like their congeners 
in Europe, they have enemies to guard against; and 
the Black Ants occasionally put their vigilance and 
prowess to the proof, sometimes successfully, but 
more frequently coming off with the worst. One of 
the community, accordingly, is constantly stationed 
as a sentinel at the mouth of the hive — keeping her 
post unrelieved for a whole day ; and as the entrance 
is wide enough only for the admission of one bee 
at a time, the sentinel has to withdraw into a small 
cavity formed within the threshold, as often as a 
bee enters or leaves the hive. Captain Hall remarks 
