Dee writes:
> Also, funny that only the Europeans were the first to want to take with
them to new lands the honeybees they had

This was discussed at great length here about three years ago (see archives,
please!)

In a nutshell, the Spanish brought honey bees because beeswax was central to
the rituals of the Catholic church (candles). Before this they forced the
natives of Central America & Mexico to give them what wax they could get
from the stingless bees. But this wax is gummy and unsuited for candle making.

On a side note, the Hopi Indians used tobacco, corn and honey in rituals.
But it is unclear whether they got the honey from 1) native bees, 2) bees
from much farther south, or 3) boiled sap of the maguey cactus. My hunch is
that it is #3, as it is still used this way and is a primary ingredient in
tequila.


Peter Borst
Danby NY

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