29U TEOSTS. — BEES. 



to slioot earlier in the spring, and to grow on later in the 

 autumn than they would otherwise do, and so are sufferers 

 by lagging or early frosts. For this reason, also, plants from 

 Siberia will hardly endure oiu* climate ; because, on the very 

 first advances of spring, they shoot away, and so are cut off 

 by the severe nights of March or April. 



Dr. Fothergill and others have experienced the same 

 inconvenience with respect to the more tender shrubs 

 from North America ; which, they, therefore, plant under 

 north walls. There should also, perhaps, be a wall to the 

 east, to defend them from the piercing blasts from that 

 quarter. 



This observation might, without any impropriety, be carried 

 into animal life ; for discerning bee-masters now find that 

 their hives should not, in the winter, be exposed to the 

 hot sun, because such unseasonable warmth awakens the 

 inhabitants too early from their slumbers ; and, by putting 

 their juices into motion too soon, subjects them afterwards 

 to inconveniences when rigorous weather returns. 



The coincidents attending this short but intense frost 

 were, that the horses fell sick with an epidemic distemper, 

 which injured the winds of many, and killed some: that 

 colds and coughs were general among the human species ; 

 that it froze under people's beds for several nights ; that 

 meat was so hard frozen that it could not be spitted, and 

 could not be secured but in cellars ; that several redwings 

 and thrushes were killed by the frost ; and that the large 

 titmouse continued to pull straws lengthwise from the eaves 

 of thatched houses and barns in a most adroit manner, for a 

 purpose that has been explained already.* 



On the third of January, Benjamin Martin's thermometer, 

 within doors, in a close parlour where there was no fire, fell 

 in the night to 20, and on the fourth to 18, and on the seven- 

 teenth to 17-^, a degree of cold which the owner never since 

 saw in the same situation ; and he regrets much that he was 

 not able, at that juncture, to attend his instrument abroad. 

 All this time the wind continued north and north-east ; and 

 yet on the eighth, roost-cocks, which had been silent, began 

 to sound their clarions, and crows to clamour, as prognostio 



* See Letter lxiii. to Thomas Pennant, Cmi 



