349 On Medical Entamotogrf, 



dumeslic f>ce from the olbcT species of the s!tme genus. It 

 i» well known that a hu'e contains bees of three kinds : 



Lst^ The queen or mother is smaller and longer than the 

 males : her wings do not extend to the extremity of the 

 tjody : the latter is of a bri^^ht brown colour above, and of a 

 heautiful yellow below. She has neither palettes nor brushes 

 Qji the l<'gs : her trunk is very short and very delicate. 



£)d, The males or drones hnve long wings, a short trunk,, 

 no palettes on their legs, and no sting. The only use of them 

 seems to be to fecundate the queen. This important func- 

 tion is scarcely discharged when they arc expelled, or mas- 

 sacred without mercy. Yet bees are quoted as a perfect 

 model of good government*. 



3d,. Bees without sex, which are called working bees, 

 because, indeed, the whole labour of the hive belongs ex- 

 clusively to them, are distinguished by their smaller size, 

 find their long pointed trunk, moveable in every direction. 

 1 heir paws rest mble brushes ; the posterior ones are hol- 

 lowed out in the spoon form. It is by means of this 

 conformation that they are able to dive into the corolla of 

 flowers, suck the nectar from them, and load themselves 

 uith pollen td convert it into honey and wax. The latter 

 itjrmi the basis of the combs, the surface of which exhibits 

 an assemblage of a multitude of ceils arranged with won- 

 derful art and astonishing oymmetry. A part of these cells 

 or alveoles h destined to receive the honey, and the mother 

 bee deposits in the rest the hope of a new generation. 



Most medicines arc distinguished by a dark colour, a 

 nauseoiis odour, and a detestable taste. The patient shud- 

 ders at the bare view of the disgusting beverage which he 

 is ordered to swallow to the verv dregs ; and, if the danger 

 is not urgent, he refuses to purchase health at that price. 

 Jilanna and senna enter into the composition of the purga- 

 tives most generally employed. The odour which exhales 

 from them oiten produces spasms and other accidents in 

 persons of a nervous constitution. I knew a young man 

 to whom this odour gave frequent stools ; and I rarely pre- 

 pare these n edicines myself without experiencing nausea, 

 sometimes followed by vomiting. Hippcicrates, two thou- 

 sand years ago, recommended some remedy less energetic, 

 and more agreeable to the patient, in the room of one jnore 



• It appears much inore probable that these drones die naturally after 

 having discharged the futictinn for whicli t!:ey arc destined; for it is the 

 coinnion tatt ci a!lan;tlc ij:stcts to die uftci tl.cy have enecndered. 



efficacious 



