LETTER XXX. 



Whilst we are upon this subject, my friend, I will relate 

 to you such of the established absurdities concerning bees as 

 recui to my memory. 



Aristotle advances that the bee adopts one flower, and 

 never collects its honey but from flowers of the same kind. 



The same Aristotle : — That when it is windy, the bee keeps 

 itself steady in its flight, by carrying grains of sand between 

 its feet. 



The same Aristotle : — That bees without a king only make 

 wax and not honey. That they drive from the hive the most 

 greedy, the most idle, &o. <fec. 



Pliny adds, probably after a more profound study of the 

 penal code of the bees, that in cases of relapse or obstinacy 

 in the above-mentioned vices, they are punished in divers 

 ways, and even with death in certain circumstances. 



Both of these celebrated writers have made long eulogiums, 

 copied a hundred times over by the modems, upon their 

 justice, their bravery, their modesty, their loyalty, their poli- 

 tical science, and their skill in government. 



They were not content with Virgil's bull. It was advised 



