38(3 NATURAL HISTORY 



carried 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 inconveniences when 

 rigorous weather returns. 



The coincidents attending this short but intense frost 

 were, that the horses fell sick with an epidemic distem- 

 per, which injured the winds of many, and kilted 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 l . 



On the 3rd of January, Benjamin Martin's thermo- 

 meter within doors, in a close parlour where there was 

 no fire, fell in the night to 20, and on the 4th to 18, and 

 on the 7th to 17|, 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 conti- 

 nued 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 

 weather; and, moreover, moles began to heave and 

 work, and a manifest thaw took place. From the latter 

 circumstance we may conclude that thaws often origi- 

 nate 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, 



1 See Letter XLI. to Mr. Pennant. 



