Pwa-Neyet. 11g 
or four large cells of about an inch in diameter, without any 
opening. I can only suppose that the object of these cell- 
walls is to strengthen the narrow base in its support of the 
larger projecting mass. If so, here is another instance of a 
mysterious intelligence possessed by one of the smallest of 
living creatures. 
This piece, marked No. 1, will show the ordinary texture 
colour, and general appearance of Pwaz-ngyet, as it is found 
in the jungles. No. 2, is nearly white, a very unusual, 
colour. I send it because of the greater resemblance to 
Thengan-tsee, or the resin of the Hopea odorata ; of which 
I also send a small piece (No. 3), in order that you may be 
able to ascertain how far the two substances are chemically 
identical. | 
What the internal economy of the nest of Zrzgona levti- 
ceps is | cannot say, as the tree has commonly to be felled 
in order to obtain the contents, and this I have never seen 
done. I am informed by the Burmese that from five to ten 
viss are usually obtained from one nest. A wzss is about 
_ 3? Ib., and costs about 4 annas (6d.) inthe bazaar. I should 
imagine that, considering the source whence it is procured, 
the supply must be very limited ; and, if exported, it would 
soon equal beeswax in price. 
Its principal, if not only use, at present, is for caulking ; 
and, for this purpose, it is mixed with earth-oil or petro- 
leum. 
The method is to boil the Pwaz-ngyet in water, which 
makes it quite soft, and then to knead it with a certain 
quantity of the petroleum, until it attains the consistency 
of a lump of putty, which it much resembles. In that state 
it is fit for use, and is extremely viscid and tenacious. On 
putting a piece of Pwaz-ngyet into boiling water, in order to 
perform the operation myself, I noticed that the surface of 
the water was covered with a thin film of oil. This confirms 
me in the idea that oil is united with resin in the composi- 
tion of Pwat-ngyet. It is soluble in oz/s and in turpentine, 
but not in spirits of wine. I may conclude by mentioning 
that the mistakes made by several persons in Burmah with 
regard to the origin of this substance must have arisen from 
the fact that the name of Pzwaz-ngyet is often used here, in 
the bazaars, to denote any kind of resin or Dammer, but the 
true Pwai-ngyet of the Burmese is that made by the small 
bee called Yrigona leviceps, and is made by them in the 
manner I have tried to describe. 
Moulmein. | CoSs Py PARISH 
