262 NATURAL HISTORY 



into animal life ; for discerning bee-masters now find that 

 their hives should not in the winter be exposed to the hot sun, 

 because such unseasonable warmth awakens the inhabitants 

 too early from their slumbers ; and, by putting their juices 

 into motion too soon, subjects them afterwards to incon- 

 veniences when rigorous weather returns. 



The coincidents attending this short but intense frost were, 

 that the horses fell sick with an epidemic distemper, which 

 injured the winds of many, and killed some ; that colds and 

 coughs were general among the human species ; that it froze 

 under people's beds for several nights ; that meat was so hard 

 frozen that it could not be spitted, and could not be secured 

 but in cellars ; that several redwings and thrushes were killed 

 by the frost ; and that the large titmouse continued to pull 

 straws lengthwise from the eaves of thatched houses and barns 

 in a most adroit manner, for a purpose that has been explained 

 already. 6 



On the 3d of January, Benjamin Martin's thermometer 

 within doors, in a close parlour where there was no fire, fell 

 in the night to 20, and on the 4th to 18, and the 7th to 17J, 

 a degree of cold which the owner never since saw in the 

 same situation ; and he regrets much that he was not able at 

 that juncture to attend his instrument abroad. All this time 

 the wind continued north and north-east ; and yet on the 8th 

 roost-cocks, which had been silent, began to sound their 

 clarions, and crows to clamour, as prognostic of milder wea- 

 ther ; and, moreover, moles began to heave and work, and a 

 manifest thaw took place. From the latter circumstance we 

 may conclude that thaws often originate under ground from 

 warm vapours which arise ; else how should subterraneous 

 animals receive such early intimations of their approach? 

 Moreover, we have often observed that cold seems to descend 

 from above ; for, when a thermometer hangs abroad in a frosty 

 night, the intervention of a cloud shall immediately raise the 

 mercury ten degrees ; and a clear sky shall again compel it 

 to descend to it's former gage. 



And here it may be proper to observe, on what has been 

 e See Letter xli. to Mr. Pennant. 



