THE BEE. 1 13 



because its bursting through the cone destroys, or at least ex- 

 ceedingly damages, the silk. This being done, they throw the 

 cones into warm water, and stir them about until the commence- 

 ment of the first thread furnishes them a clue for winding. They 

 generally take eight of the silken threads together, the cones 

 being kept in water till a proper quantity be wound off; but 

 they do not take all, as the last parts grow weak, and are of 

 a bad colour. At the last, a paper-like substance remains, 

 which some stain with a variety of colours for the purpose of 

 making artificial flowers, and others let lie in the water till the 

 glutinous matter which cements it be dissolved : it is then carded 

 like wool, spun with a wheel, and converted into silk stuffs of 

 an inferior kind. 



We have here given a slight view of the history of the silk- 

 worm, its operations, and valuable productions. This glance, 

 however, is sufficient to show that it may be regarded as a sin- 

 gular phenomenon of Nature and Providence, exhibiting in a 

 wonderful manner the wisdom and goodness of the Creator in 

 the various operations of animal instinct, and the exertions of 

 human ingenuity forming those relations which enable man to de- 

 rive the most important benefits. The subject would have ad- 

 mitted of a more detailed description ; but this will suffice to 

 give a general and tolerably just idea of this extraordinary 

 insect, so distinguished in the history of commerce and fashion. 



THE BEE 



Is, of all the classes of winged insects, the most beneficial to 

 man, and certainly one of the most wonderful. Bees are com- 

 mon in most countries; but although naturalists have for ages 

 considered them as an important subject of inquiry, and large 

 volumes have been written in order to elucidate their history, it 

 is yet but imperfectly known. The account given of them by 

 Reaumur is sufficiently minute, and, if true, exceedingly won- 

 derful ; but many parts of it are called in question, and some of 

 them flatly contradicted by those who have been long conversant 

 with bees. The greatest part, however, of the life of this great 

 naturalist, was spent in contemplating their nature and habits ; 

 and it would require an attention equally assiduous and con- 

 tinued, to prove the error of his discoveries and conclusions 

 To enter into a minute investigation of so complicated and so 

 extensive a subject, would not at present suit our purpose ; and 

 therefore we shall content ourselves with mentioning a few ob 

 vious particulars. 



How numerous soever may appear the multitude of bees in 

 a swarm, they all owe their origin to a single parent, which is 

 called the queen bee It may indeed seem astonishing, and 



