The holly, the privet, phillyrea, elder and common bramble, together with sweet fennel, nasturtiums and asparagus, are also much frequented by the bees. They are likewise very partial to the yellow flowers of the crowfoot, as well as to the flowers of the dead nettle, especially the white.
The blossoms of the cucumber, gourd and vegetable marrow also, yield a considerable quantity both of honey and farina, as do likewise those of the white lily.
“Apes æstate serenâ
Floribus insidunt variis, et Candida circum
Lilia funduntur.”
Virgil.
Dr. Evans speaks of the Cacalia or Alpine coltsfoot as affording a great quantity of honey, the scent of which is often diffused to a considerable distance; and Dr. Darwin, in a note to his “Botanic Garden,” mentions having counted on one of those plants, besides bees of various kinds, upwards of two hundred painted butterflies, which gave it the appearance of being loaded with additional flowers.
“When o’er her nectar’d couch papilios crowd.
And bees in clusters hum their plaudits loud.”
Evans.
“What is it,” says the anonymous writer whom I lately quoted, “that brings the bees buzzing round us so busily? See, it is this tuft of coltsfoot, which they approach with a harmonious chorus, somewhat like the Non nobis, Domine, of our singers; and after partaking silently of the luxurious banquet, again setup their tuneful Pæans.”
Ornamental flowers, such as roses, ranunculuses, anemones, pinks and carnations, afford little or no pabulum for bees, and tulips are probably pernicious to them, dead bees being frequently found in their flowers.