438 COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION OF Bees* wax constitutes a very valuable and con- siderable article of commerce. Bees have no where been domesticated in the Indian Islands, nor, indeed, I believe, in any part of Asia. The wandering habits to which they are encouraged at all seasons, by the perpetual succession of flowers, would probably render it difficult. * From the same cause, and it being consequently unnecessary to lay up a store of provision, their honey is small in quantity, while, from the quality of vegetation, it is naturally of much inferior flavour to that of higher latitudes. I have seen the honey of Ara- bia brought, as a luxury, to the Indian Islands. The bees of these islands, however, afford an abundant supply of wax, which is largely exported to Bengal and China. The greatest supply is ob- tained in the islands furthest to the east, and, above all, in Timur and Flores. The quantity exported annually from the Portuguese settlements in Ti- mur is 20,000 piculs, which is sold by the natives at the low rate of five Spanish dollars the picul, or 18s. lOjd. per cwt. When the Bugis vessels bring it to the west, it is, according to its purity, sold from 2(5 to 36 Spanish dollars the picul. In
- This objection may not be equally applicable to situations
of considerable elevation. The bee appears to be domesticat- ed in the island of Cuba, although I am ignorant under what circumstances.
