THE- BEE. 



391 



I have here, my dear Sir, given yon a slight view 

 of the history of the silk-worm, its operations and va- 

 luable productions. This glance, however, is sufti- 

 cicnt to make you regard it as a singular phaenome- 

 non of Nature and 'Providence, exhibiting in a won* 

 tlerfui manner the wisdom and goodness of the Crea- 

 tor -in the various operations of animal instinct, and 

 the exertions of human ingenuity forming those rela- 

 tions which enable man to derive the most important 

 benefits. The subject would, indeed, have admitted 

 of a more detailed description; but this will suffice to 

 give you a general and tolerably just idea of this ex- 

 traordinary insect r so distinguished in^ the history of 

 commerce and fashion. 



THE REE 



k, of all the classes of winged insects> the most bcnc- 

 firial to man, and certainly one of the most wonderful. 

 J$ees are common in most countries; but although na- 

 turalists have for ages considered them as an import- 

 ant subject of enquiry ; and large volumes have been, 

 written in order to elucidate their history, it is yet 

 but imperfectly known. 



In some countries bees are an object of great 

 attention to the peasant, a-nd their honey and wax are 

 considerable articles of trade. In many of the fo- 

 rests of Russia and Poland, holes are raade in the 

 trunks of trees for the reception of bees, which 

 abound in those parts. By this method the country 

 people obtain a great quantity of honey and wax, 

 and derive no small profit from those valuable com- 

 modities.. 



"Here their delicious task the fervent bees' 



In s\\ arming millions tend : around, athwart, 



Thro' the *v/ift air the busy nations fl.y, 



Cling ro the bud, and with inserted tube, 



Suck its pure essence, its ethereal soul. 



And ofl with bolder wing., they soaring dare 



The purple heath, or where the wild tbyme grows, 



And yellow load them with the luscious spoils." 



Instead of entering into any particulars on so copious 

 a subject, which might aftbrd matter of almost endless 



