PHTSIOLOGT. 33 



cially when they first realize her Joss, is of a peculiarly 

 mournful character ; it sounds something like a succession 

 of wails on the minor key, and can no more be mistaloen by 

 the experienced bee-keeper, for their ordinary, happy hum, 

 than the piteous meanings of a sick child can be confounded, 

 by an anxious mother, with its joyous crowings, when over- 

 flowing with health and happiness. 



I am perfectly aware that all this will sound to many, 

 much more like romance than sober reality ; but I have 

 determined, in writing this book, to state facts, however 

 wonderful, just as they are ; confident that ihey will, before 

 long, be universally received, and hoping that the many 

 wonders in the economy of the honey bee will not only 

 excite a wider interest in its culture, but will lead those 

 who observe them, to adore the wisdom of Him who gave 

 them such admirable Instincts. 1 cannot refrain from quot- 

 ing here, the forcible remarks of an English clergyman, 

 who appears to be a very great enthusiast in bee-culture. 



" Every bee-keeper, if he have only a soul to appreciate 

 the works of God, and an intelligence of an inquisitive 

 order, cannot fail to become deeply interested in observing 

 the wonderful instincts, (instincts akin to reason,) of these 

 admirable creatures ; at the same time that he will learn 

 many lessons of practical wisdom from their example. 

 Having acquired a knowledge of their habits, not a bee will 

 buzz in his ear, without recalling to him some of these les- 

 sons, and helping to make him a wiser and a better man. 

 It is certain that in all my experience, I never yet met with 

 -a keeper of bees, who was not a respectable, well-conducted 

 member of society, and a moral, if not a religious man.* 



* The author of this work regrets that his experietice does not 

 euable him to speak with such absolute confidence as to the character 

 of all the bee keepers whom he has known. 



