70 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



upon the least provocation ; whereas now, it may be pulled 

 limb from limb, without attempting to sting. As a worker 

 it would have treated a queen with the greatest considera- 

 tion ; whereas now, if placed under a glass with another 

 queen, it rushes forthwith to mortal combat with its riyal. 

 As a worker, it would frequently have left the hive, either 

 for labor or exercise : as a queen, after impregnation, it 

 never leaves the hive except to accompany a new swarm. 



5th. The term of its life is remarkably lengthened. As 

 a worker, it would have lived not more than six or seven 

 months at farthest ; as a queen it may live seven or eight 

 times as long ! All these wonders rest on the impregnable 

 basis of complete demonstration, and instead of being wit- 

 nessed by only a select few, may now, by the use of my 

 hive, be familiar sights to any bee keeper, who prefers to 

 acquaint himself with facts, rather than to cavil and sneer 

 at the labors of others.* 



* Having already spoken of Swammerdam, I shall give a brief 

 extract from the celebrated Dr. Boerhaave's memoir of this wonderful 

 naturalist, which should put to the blush, if any thing can, the arro- 

 gance of those superficial observers who are too wise in their own con- 

 ceit, to avail themselves of the knowledge of others. 



" This treatise ou Bees proved so fatiguing a performance, that 

 Swammerdam never afterwards recovered even the appearance of his 

 former health and vigor. He was almost continually engaged by day 

 in making observations, and as constantly engaged by night in re" 

 cording them by drawings and suitable explanations." 



" This being summer work, his daily labor began at six in the morn- 

 ing, when the sun afforded him light enough to survey such minute 

 objects ; and from that hour till twelve, he continued without inter- 

 ruption, all the while exposed in the open air to the scorching heat of 

 the sun, bareheaded for fear of intercepting his sight, and his head in 

 a manner dissolving into sweat under the irresistible ardors of that 

 powerful luminary. And if he desisted at noon, it was only because 

 the strength of his eyes was too much weakened, by the extraordinary 



