258 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 



in his '^ Bihlia Naturce,^' gives his minute anatomical inves- 

 tigations of the external and internal parts of the bee, while 

 to the latter VfQ are indebted for some of the best observa- 

 tions concerning bees, published in the fifth volume of his 

 " Histoire cles Insectes." The works of ]Mr. Huber, of Gene- 

 va, in Switzerland, '•^ Nouvelles Observations sur les Aheilles^^' 

 1814, as well as the "Treatise of Bees, by Robert Huish, 

 London, 1815," are both very rich in new observations con- 

 cerning the history and treatment of these insects. The 

 excellent work of the last-named author can not be too 

 highly recommended, and should be in the possession of ev- 

 ery apiarian. 



It is probably on account of their great utility, more than 

 because of the wonderful phenomena which they exhibit, 

 that bees have always received so much attention from 

 mankind in general. While we are at no great expense for 

 their food, they furnish us with a precious and lucrative 

 luxury, and, except the silk-worm and cochineal, they are 

 the only insects of direct commercial value to man. In 

 comparison with the silk-worm and cochineal, the bees oc- 

 cupy a superior rank, and are more generally beneficial to 

 man, because they prosper in all climates, even where the 

 former can not live. In those old times before the process 

 of making sugar was known, and for a long time after in 

 countries and among classes of people that could not pro- 

 cure it, bees were much more important because of their 

 honey. On this account, so much care was bestowed upon 

 them in ancient times, as is related by Cato, Varro, Colu- 

 mela, Palladius, and Virgil. 



The great importance of these insects, and the interest 

 universally manifested in them, demands from us a tolera- 

 bly minute description of their natural history, as well as 

 the best modes of treating them, so as to make them most 

 productive. 



It is impossible for any reflecting person to look at a bee- 



