o4t MEMOIR OF SWAMMERDAM. 



have no other true knowledge than that of our own 

 weakness and imperfections. Of ourselves we can 

 do nothing, all we have we receive from the gracious 

 hands of the Supreme Being, the munificent rewarder 

 of good actions,, of whose divine favour I wish you 

 uninterrupted enjoyment." * 



In the end of September, 1673, Swammerdam 

 brought to a conclusion a work which had long oc- 

 cupied his attention, on a subject admirably adapted 

 to his peculiar powers. No one so deeply interested 

 as he had been from his infancy in the general history 

 of insects, could fail to be particularly struck with 

 the economy of bees, combining, as it does, much 

 of what is most remarkable in other tribes of insects, 

 with a great deal peculiar to itself. His efforts to 

 become acquainted with their habits, and especially 

 with their anatomical structure, have not been sur- 

 passed in labour and perseverance by any subsequent 

 enquirer. For months together he was accustomed 

 to commence his investigations at six o'clock in the 

 morning, (when he could obtain sufficient light at 

 that hour,) and continue them without interruption 

 till twelve, seated all the time in the open air, with 

 his head uncovered and exposed to the sun, the 

 strongest light being necessary to enable him to use 

 his magnifying glasses to the best advantage. About 

 noon he was compelled to desist, as his eyes by that 

 time began to fail from continual exposure to a bright 

 light, and intent observation of minute objects through 



* Book of Nature, Hill's edition, Part II. p. 153. 



