DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2373#0422
392
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER the collecting of honey and wax a profession, and it is one attended
VI- with much danger. Having discovered a hive, some of them kindle
July 25,&c, a fire under the rock, and throw on it the leaves of the Cassia fis-
tula, and of the Puleseri, which emit a smoke so acrid, that nothing
living can endure it. The bees are forced to retire; and some
others of the Baydas, so soon as the smoke subsides, lower down by
a rope one of their companions, who with a pole knocks off the nest,
and is immediately drawn up again; for, if he made any delay, the
bees would return, and their stinging is so violent, that it endangers
life. In order to fortify him against the sharp points of rocks, and
against injury from the rope, which passes round his chest, the ad-
venturous Bay da is secured, before and behind, by several folds of
leather.1 II. The bee, that produces the next greatest quantity of
honey is called the Cadi, or Chittu Jainu ; that is, stick, or small
honey. This bee is very small, and builds, around the branch of a
tree, a comb of an oblong shape, and sharpened at both ends. It is
found at all seasons, but is in the greatest perfection at the same time
with the other. The honey is of the finest quality ; but the whole
comb seldom weighs more than two Seers, or i ^2_ lb. This bee
does not sting, and is readily driven away by a twig switched round
the comb. III. The Tuduvay is a bee of which the honey is of an
excellent quality, but rarely procured ; for it generally builds deep
in.the crevices of rocks, where it is totally inaccessible. Sometimes,
however, it is found in hollow trees, and one hive will give from
20 to 25 Seers of honey, or about 12 or 15 pounds; but the quantity
of wax is in proportion small. This is a large bee ; but it very sel-
dom stings those who plunder its hive. IV. The Togriga is a very
small bee, that seldom stings. It takes possession of the deserted
nests of the white ants (Termes), which in this country are very
numerous in the wastes of red soil, such as is usually cultivated for
Ragy. Of this stiff earth, the white ants raise hills resembling the
stump of a tree, which are from four to six feet high, very hard,
and able long to resist the heaviest rain. These, when deserted,
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER the collecting of honey and wax a profession, and it is one attended
VI- with much danger. Having discovered a hive, some of them kindle
July 25,&c, a fire under the rock, and throw on it the leaves of the Cassia fis-
tula, and of the Puleseri, which emit a smoke so acrid, that nothing
living can endure it. The bees are forced to retire; and some
others of the Baydas, so soon as the smoke subsides, lower down by
a rope one of their companions, who with a pole knocks off the nest,
and is immediately drawn up again; for, if he made any delay, the
bees would return, and their stinging is so violent, that it endangers
life. In order to fortify him against the sharp points of rocks, and
against injury from the rope, which passes round his chest, the ad-
venturous Bay da is secured, before and behind, by several folds of
leather.1 II. The bee, that produces the next greatest quantity of
honey is called the Cadi, or Chittu Jainu ; that is, stick, or small
honey. This bee is very small, and builds, around the branch of a
tree, a comb of an oblong shape, and sharpened at both ends. It is
found at all seasons, but is in the greatest perfection at the same time
with the other. The honey is of the finest quality ; but the whole
comb seldom weighs more than two Seers, or i ^2_ lb. This bee
does not sting, and is readily driven away by a twig switched round
the comb. III. The Tuduvay is a bee of which the honey is of an
excellent quality, but rarely procured ; for it generally builds deep
in.the crevices of rocks, where it is totally inaccessible. Sometimes,
however, it is found in hollow trees, and one hive will give from
20 to 25 Seers of honey, or about 12 or 15 pounds; but the quantity
of wax is in proportion small. This is a large bee ; but it very sel-
dom stings those who plunder its hive. IV. The Togriga is a very
small bee, that seldom stings. It takes possession of the deserted
nests of the white ants (Termes), which in this country are very
numerous in the wastes of red soil, such as is usually cultivated for
Ragy. Of this stiff earth, the white ants raise hills resembling the
stump of a tree, which are from four to six feet high, very hard,
and able long to resist the heaviest rain. These, when deserted,