Thanks Gordon for the response,
 
Being a Cajun, it takes a lot more to gross me out than that. The rule down
here is, Eat it first before it eats you.
 
Seriously, Ana Merlo, a beekeeper in Brazil said it also could have been 2
other things; Eucalyptus or Sugar Cane. I'm not familiar with eucalyptus at
all, so I can not comment. However, I live in the middle of sugar cane
country and I thought that was interesting. Sugar cane products are high in
iron and this could explain the dark honey and whether or not that makes the
wax dark, I don't know. But your explanation takes care of the wax color.
 
 
Buddy Gauthier
 
Computer Systems Analyst
Cameco Industries, Inc.
Thibodaux, LA  70301
Phone: (504)448-0339
Fax:     (504)435-4704
Email:  [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
 
 
 
        -----Original Message-----
        From:   Gordon Albright [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
        Sent:   Thursday, September 24, 1998 1:38 PM
        To:     [log in to unmask]
        Subject:        Re: Brazil Experience
 
        Buddy:
             Unless there are local factors to take into consideration, the
only cause
        of brown comb I know of is that caused by brood being raised in the
comb prior
        to the honey being stored there.  The comb would also have a
toughness not
        found in comb which has never had brood.  Which I think is due to
the remnant
        larval casings.  Brood comb which has been in a hive more than 3 or
4 years
        has a dark brown color.  I don't mean to gross you out, but it is my
best
        guess.
 
        Best Regards,
        Gordon