8 tH the 'viper.- 'S>;^h'. 5„ 



Having made these observations on them, Xcarried 

 them home, to keep alive for sometime, until they 

 fliouid get more the appearance of the old ones, aryd 

 put them into a wooden vefsel with some dry earth 

 in the bottom ; taking the hint from the curse pro- 

 nounced against the serpent in holj writ. They soon 

 ro' into order again, and marched round and round 

 the vcfsel ; but by some accident, when I was out of 

 the wav, it was overturned, so I judged it the safest 

 V. ay to make zn end of them for fear of farther dan- 

 ger. 



I send you inclosed a few of the young creatures 

 that you may see them yourself, only lam afraid by 

 the time you receive them they will be so dry, you 

 .vi)l not be able to judge of them properly. 



I would be much obliged to you, and, I dare 

 say, £o would a .great many of yoar readers, if you 

 Vvtre to give us some information through" the chas- 

 r.el of your Bee, how the species is propagated, ami 

 . r/hat method nature, or rather its author, has taken 

 to prevent them increasing so fast ; for 1 have heard 

 so many stories about tliem that I give little heed Lo 

 ;uiy of them. If you were to add the best remedy to 

 prevent the fatal effects of their sting, it would make 

 it both useful and entertaining. As this is about the 

 time the bees begin to lay up their honey for winter, 

 I fhould thiiik myself very happy could this letter 

 only supply the place of coarse wax, to contain the 

 more sv.cet and precious treasure. I commit it to 

 vour disposal if you think it worth the inserting, I 

 I'.opc you will be so good as amend all inaccuracies 

 in the writing Vi'hich you may find it. If i:ot I hum- 



