Bees

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Ground Bee portrayed in MERP

Bees were buzzing domestic insects kept for their ability to make honey. Particularly famous were those of Beorn, which reached an enormous size.[1]

In Qenya, the word for "honey bee" is nier (nies-), and "a bee" is nion or nier. The Gnomish word for "a bee" is nios or nio (niwin is "a female bee").[2][3]

Portrayal in adaptations

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Ground Bees, producers of honey, are relatives of the yellow jackets and true bees. Due to their large numbers, the Ground Bees pose a threat to characters.[4]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Qenyaqetsa: The Qenya Phonology and Lexicon", in Parma Eldalamberon XII (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p. 65
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p. 60
  4. Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012), p. 36