MEMOIR OF HUBER. 19 



should both have laboured under a similar personal 

 defect, occasioned, too, by the same causes ; for the 

 same intenseness and minuteness of observation which 

 deprived Huber of sight altogether, had brought on 

 in Bonnet a weakness of vision which for a time 

 threatened total blindness, and from which he never 

 fully recovered. 



It will readily occur to every one that the loss of 

 sight in Huber must not only have presented a very 

 serious obstacle to the successful study of his favourite 

 science, but must have had the effect also of throwing 

 considerable doubt on the accuracy of his experiments 

 and the reality of his discoveries. His most devoted 

 admirers and most unhesitating followers in every 

 thing connected with the economy of Bees, are bound 

 in candour to acknowledge, that his observations, 

 reported, as they were, at second hand, and depend- 

 ing for their accuracy on the intelligence and fidelity 

 of a half-educated assistant, were, of themselves, not 

 entitled to be received without caution and distrust. 

 Francis Burnens, his assistant, had no doubt entered 

 with enthusiasm into the pursuit, and appears to have 

 conducted the experiments not only with the most 

 patient assiduity, but with great address and no small 

 share of steadiness and courage, qualities indispensable 

 in those who take liberties with the irritabile genus 

 apum. Still Burnens was but an uncultivated peasant 

 when he became Huber's hired servant, and possessed 

 none of those acquired accomplishments which serve 

 to sharpen the intellectual faculties, and fit the mind 

 for observing and discriminating with correctness. 



