New publications

Bibliographies on Beeswax

Beeswax has received far less attention than honey, and less is: known and published about it. For this reason the five new publications by Penelope Walker, which cover many aspects of beeswax, are a valuable addition to the IBRA series of Bibliographies and will be of wide-ranging interest.

Bach bibliography is divided into sections, and the list below gives examples of section topics. The Bibliographies can be obtained direct from IBRA (50% discount to IBRA members) and prices include postage.

No. 30 Beeswax: secretion and use by bees £7 or US$12.50

Includes beeswax synthesis, comb building (pheromonal factors, initiation, etc.), and encouragement of wax production by the beekeeper. 87 entries

No. 32 Beeswax: composition, properties, adulteration £7.75 or US$14

Covers wx from Apis and non-Apis bees, and includes adulteration and admixture with other waxes. 147 entries

No. 33 Beeswax, uses and commercial aspects £7.75 or US$14

Includes foundation, candles, cosmetics, etc., and relevant standards and legislation. 149 entries

No. 34 Beeswax: publications of historical interest £6 or US$11

Early writings about the honeybee's production and use of beeswax; history of beeswax, its production, uses and trade. 69 entries

Bibliography of legislation on importance of bees and control of disease

In recent years man has transported bees into many countries. This has caused two major problems: (1) the spread of bee diseases and (2) the presence of bees in areas where their type of behavioural characteristics are unsuitable. The importance of stopping the further spread of bee diseases has prompted the collection by IBRA of all known legislation which seeks to control bee disease. I have prepared a bibliography from this information, and it is now published under the title Laws and regulations (world-wide) relating to the importation of bees, the control and notification of bee diseases, and the registration and siting of hives.

This bibliography gives details and a brief description of such legislation held in 42 countries, and also lists 15 countries which have no such legislation. Beekeepers will find the bibliography useful as a source of information about the legislation which is in force. Ideally all countries should have some legislation controlling the import and export of bees, and to prevent the spread of bee diseases, and it is hoped that this booklet will also be useful to those countries which have no such legislation, in providing a guide to the types of laws which they require, The bibliography (IBRA Bibliography No. 35) is available from IBRA, price £7.75 or US$4.00, with 50% discount to IBRA members.

The Archaeology of Beekeeping

by Eva Crane

This is the first book to explore the rich and fascinating heritage of beekeeping archaeology. The text is illustrated with many pictures ranging from Mesolithic rock paintings, and scenes in Egyptian tombs, to lively photo-— graphs of beekeeping operations taken in the last century. They show the diversity to be found in the history of honey hunting and beekeeping throughout the world, since the Stone Age.

The archaeology of beekeeping examines the history of man's association with bees as shown by ancient objects that have been discovered and identified. The identification of archaeological finds is helped by studies of objects still used by beekeepers and honey hunters in remote parts of the world.

The first direct proof that man took honey from bees' nests is provided by Mesolithic rock paintings in Spain. For the earliest evidence of beekeeping itself we rely on illustrations made between 2400 and 600 BC in Egypt, which show beekeepers at work, and honey being processed and packed In Greece, actual hives used in Ancient times have been excavated, the earliest being dated to 450 BC. Their successors were well described by Roman authors, and many hives similar to them can still be found in use in different parts of the world today; most are horizontal cylinders of various types.

In Northern Europe, upright log hives came into use. where hollow trees in the forests provided nesting places for bees. At first an individual beekeeper owned and tended bee colonies in the living trees; later on log hives were grouped together in apiaries.

The possible early existence of hives wit!. replaceable combs, like those used in modern beekeeping, is discussed. A final chapter explores a much wider field: representations of bees in sculpture, glass, coins, jewellery, and so on, and also objects that were made in the Ancient World with honey and beeswax.

The archaeology of beekeeping, published by Duckworth, London, in 1983 has 364 pages, with 271 illustrations. Obtainable direct from IBRA, price £27.50, post paid. Alternatively, if there is a library in your area, you may be able to see the book there.

African beekeeping in the past

Many stories have been published about old-time beekeeping in tropical Africa, when beekeeping tribes used log or bark hives kept in trees for protection against enemies. One man with a lifetime's first-hand experience of tribal beekeeping was Jim Nightingale, who died earlier last year. He was born and brought up in Kenya, and from his childhood onwards he worked with Kikuyu tribes and other beekeepers. He could never be persuaded to write down what he knew, but in 1980 he recorded his experiences and knowledge on tape, at his home in Njoro.

A transcription of this recording is now published* by IBRA, as a memorial to Jim Nightingale. It contains sections on the Kikuyu, Dorobo, Kamba, Tugen, Kalenjin, Pokot, Nykipia and Turkana tribes, and has a map showing the location of the places and tribes referred to. GF. Townsend and W.S. Robinson have contributed descriptions of Jim Wightingale's method of handling the tropical Africa! bees, and the honey they produce in traditional hives. This unique book will be valuable to all those interested in beekeeping in tropical Africa.

A lifetime's recollections of Kenya beekeeping by Jim Nightingale, interviewed by Eva Crane (40 pages). Available direct from IBRA. price £12. or.US$21.50 post paid.