Wilkinsons Ancient Egyptians. 607 



fourth swarms, the same calling is invariably heard before each, 

 and I know no instance of swarming after the destruction of 

 queens too young to quit their cells. The assertion, also, that 

 the old queen is not fiercely disposed towards the young ones, 

 is in some degree set aside by the after-statement, that, if delayed 

 by stormy weather till they are hatched, she destroys them. 



The idea that the queen goes abroad in search of drones is 

 hardly sufficiently established to warrant the conclusion derived 

 from it by some, viz. that it is the immediate cause of swarming. 

 Swarming takes place usually when the hive contains its largest 

 supply of drones, so that the queen quitting it at such a moment, 

 and for such a purpose, would appear to be without reason. 

 Her leaving it quietly, as stated by Dr. Dunbar, could scarcely 

 mean that she quitted it alone (at swarming time). This would 

 be against all experience ; and her welcome reception, if she suc- 

 ceeded in her mission, would imply that she would be ill received 

 if she did not ; a circumstance equally at variance with all ob- 

 servations hitherto made. The destruction of the rival queen, 

 is, I think, more reasonably accounted for in the previous part of 

 this article ; at the same time, I would not wish to place my scanty 

 apiarian knowledge against the more learned experience of Dr. 

 Dunbar. I am only anxious to establish a clearer understanding 

 upon this point than his article gives ground for. 



Cossey Hall Gardens, Sept. 9. 1839. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians, including 

 their private Life, Government, Laws, Arts, Manufactures, Re- 

 ligion, and early History, derived from a Comparison of the 

 Paintings, Sculptures, and Monuments still existing, with the 

 Accounts of Ancient Authors. Illustrated by Drawings of these 

 Subjects. By J. G. Wilkinson, F.R.S., M.R.S.L., &c, Author of 

 ■" A general View of Egypt, and Topography of Thebes," &c. 3 vols. 

 8vo, numerous cuts and plates, plain and coloured. London, 1837. 



GARDENING AND AGRICULTURE OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. 



These are remarkable volumes, which every gardener who has read his 

 bible would feel a deep interest in perusing. We have looked over them 

 chiefly with a view to glean what we could respecting the state of agricul- 

 ture and gardening in the remotest period of history. As the general result, 

 we may state that the practices which were in use from 1500 to 2000 years 

 before the Christian era, are as near as possible the same as those which exist 

 at the present day in the same country, and, indeed, in similar climates and 

 situations throughout the world. The great leading features in corn culture, 

 and in the culture of culinary vegetables, are the choice of a flat alluvial 

 surface near water, and the irrigation of this surface, by conducting the 

 water along open channels among growing plants. The water was commonly 

 raised from a river, canal, tank, or well ; and it is remarkable, that the con- 

 trivance in most general use for this purpose, in the most remote ages, is 



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