tfgi. nuscellaruous ohservations. tax 



apt we all are to over-rate the importance of such 

 hints as occur to ourselves, and in consequence to 

 waste our time in barren pursuits. By adopting the 

 method which I have ventured to recommend, this mis- 

 chief would be in a great measure prevented, as the 

 real value of our hints would be ascertained by judges 

 lefs partial than the fond discoverers. I am, i^c. 



E. O. I *. 



ON BEES. 

 Sir, to the Editor of the Bee. 



■t^AVING in a former letter endeavoured to exprefs 

 my admiration of the good taste, hardihood, and critic 

 eal abilities of your Old Correspondents, permit me 

 now to say a few words to the Young Observer. He 

 talks very plausibly, and, I doubt not, his observa- 

 tions are in general very juft. But I am of opinion 

 he has not paid due attention to the bees (see vol. vi. 

 page 253, ij'f.) I would like to know how he 

 learned that the bees fall into a torpid state in winter. 

 From what he says of the hedge hog, 'iSc it appears 

 he allows animals in a torpid state take no food. Bats 

 and swallows, when found in a torpid state, are mo- 



• The Editor is much obliged to the ingeaious author for the ^bove 

 hints, which perfectly coincide with his owa ideas. Should he find that 

 his corresp'mdents take the hint, he will appropriate a par' of tie Bee to 

 that purpose, under the title of the ntiscellantous repository, and 'ake care to 

 specify the particulars in the index .s distinc;ly as pof.ble Still farther 

 to forward this object, Ihould he find it meet with the approb ition of the 

 public, he wll publiih at the end of every three years, a connected index 

 of the preceding -igheen volumes, to be disrribu eJ gratis to the pur- 

 chasers of hese volumes. This will tend to correct one of the gr.atest 

 defects of a common place book, the difficulty of finding a particular ar* 

 tide when it is wantedi 



