*'6 OF INSf iMCT. SEcf.XVI.,5. 



Method of preferring Bees, adds, that thofe on 

 the north fide of his houfe confumed lefs honey in 

 the winter than thofe on the fouth fide. 



There is another obfervatiori on bees well afcer- 

 tained, that they at various times, when the feafon 

 begins to be cold, by a general motion of their legs 

 as they hang in clufters produce a degree of wSrmth^ 

 which is eafily perceptible by the hand. Hence by 

 this ingenious exertion, they for a long time pre- 

 vent the torpid (late they would naturally fall 

 into. 



According to the late obfefvations of Mr. Hun- 

 ter, it appears that the bees-wax is not made front 

 the duft of the anthers of flowers, which they bring 

 home on their thighs, but that this makes what is 

 termed bed-bread, and is ufed for the purpofe of 

 feeding the bee-maggots ; in the fame manner but- 

 terflies live on honey, but the previous caterpillar 

 lives on ^vegetable leaves, while the maggots of 

 large flies require flefh for their food$ and thofe of 

 the ichneumon fly require infects for their food* 

 What induces the bee who lives on honey to lay 

 up vegetable pbwder for its young ? What induced 

 trie butterfly to lay its eggs on leaves, when itfelf 

 feeds on honey? What induces the other flies tb 

 feek a food for their progeny different from what 

 they confume themfelves ? If thefe are not deduc- 

 tions from their own previous experience or obfer- 

 vation, all the aftions of mankind mufl be refolved 

 into inftinct. 



3* The dormoufe con fumes but little of its food 

 during the rigour of the feafon, for they roll them- 

 felves up, or fleep, or lie torpid the greater}, part 

 of the time ; but on warm funny days experience 

 a ihort revival, and take a little food, and then 

 relapfe into their former ftate." (Pennant Zbblog. 

 p 67*) Other animals^ that fleep in winter with- 

 out laying up any provender, are obferved to go 



into 



