286 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

and fruits, in different passages. Gesenius understands it
here to denote ‘syrup of grapes,’ that is, must, boiled to
the thickness of a syrup, which, as he observes, is still ex-
ported from Palestine, especially from the neighbourhood of
Hebron, to Egypt. If we take it to be really honey, we
‘must understand that the honey of Palestine was superior
to that of Egypt, and this is the opinion to which we in-
cline. At present the natives keep a great number of bees,
which they transport up and down the Nile, to give them
the advantage of different climates and productions. The
hives are kept in boats, and the bees disperse themselves
over the banks of the river in quest of food, returning re-
gularly on board in the evening*.”

In 1 Samuel xiv. is found another allusion to honey,
which Jonathan tasted, contrary to Saul’s command that
the people should fast during the battle with the Philistines.
“Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man
that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged
on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
And all they of the land came to a wood, and there was
honey upon the ground. And when the people were come
into the wood, behold, the honey dropped, but no man put

* Pictorial Bible.