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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Mike Rossander <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 2 Aug 2012 09:04:00 -0700
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>>>A lump of beeswax mixed with poisonous Euphorbia resin and wrapped with vegetal twine was certainly used for hafting purposes.


The "poisonous" part of this description is a red herring.  Euphorbia resin does contain a high concentration of Resiniferatoxin which is poisonous but to put it in perspective, you'd need to eat something on the order of 40 grams for it it be fatal.  Granted, smaller animals would be more susceptible but you're still not going to get anywhere near a toxic exposure just from the amount rubbed off  a small bit of twine.  I consider it far more likely that the resin was used because it was available (and had the appropriate regular resinous and preservative properties) rather than for any poisonous intent.

Mike Rossander


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