HONET. 
287 
sionally also on the cherry , currant , and other fruit trees. Some¬ 
times only one species of trees is affected at a time. The oak 
generally affords the largest quantity. At the season of its 
greatest abundance, the happy, humming noise of the bees may 
bo heard at a considerable distance, sometimes nearly equalling in 
loudness the united hum of swarming." —Bevan. 
In some seasons, bees gather large supplies from these 
honey-dews, but it is usually abundant only once in three 
or four years. The honey obtained from it, though 
seldom light-colored, is generally of a good quality. 
The quality of honey varies very much: some kinds 
are bitter, and others very unwholesome, being gathered 
from poisonous flowers. A Mandingo African informed a 
lady of my acquaintance that his countrymen eat none 
that is unsealed until it has been boiled. In some of our 
Southern States, all that is unsealed is rejected. The 
noxious properties of honey gathered from poisonous 
flowers would seem to be mostly evaporated (p. 276) 
before it is sealed over by the bees. The boiling, how¬ 
ever expels them still more effectually, for some persons 
cannot eat even the best, when raw, with impunity. 
When honey is taken from the bees, it should be put 
where it will be safe from all intruders, and not exposed 
to so low a temperature as to candy in the cells. The 
little red and the large black ant are extravagantly fond of 
it, and will carry off large quantities if within their reach. 
Old honey is more wholesome than that freshly gathered 
by the bees.* 
* The following extract from the work of Sir 3. More, London, 1707, will show 
the oxtravsgant estimate which the old writers sot npon bee-products: 
“Natural wax is altered by distillation into an oyl of marvellous vertue: it Is 
rather a Divine modtclne than humane, because, in wounds or inward diseases, it 
workoth miracles. The bee hclpcth to cure all your diseases, and Is the best little 
fnomi a man has In the world. Honey Is of subtil parts, and therefore doth 
pierce as oyl, and easily passeth the parts of the body; it openeth obstructions, and 
tleareth the heart and lights of those humors which lull from the head; it purgoth 
the foulness of the body curetli phlogmatick mutter, and sharpencth the stomach; 
