Of thetr Sex, &e. 84 
as I am able to atteft from my own perfonal and multi 
. plied experiences; which methinks tends not a little to 
diminifh their nutrimental influences, 
Nor fhould it be forgot, or overlooked, that feveral 
weeks before their total expullion, they gather together int 
a diftinct body by themfelves, feparate from all the reft ; 
as tho’ they entered a moft folemn proteft againft all - fu- 
ture converfation with their ancient friends and allies. 
This have ! frequently feen towards the end of the fea- 
fon at the back-window of the boxes; and others may 
- do the fame. 
Let the reader then inform me, what manner of in- 
fluence they can have in the hive, in order to accele- 
rate, or haften the brood; or whether any at all. 
I will enlarge: no further upon this article, fo fubject 
to contention and debate: 
The Method of Generation more particularly confidered, 
AS the preceeding fection is not only copious, but alfo 
preparatory to this, there will be the lefs occafion to ‘dwell 
here; therefore I fhall in brief reprefent the procefs 
hereof, as it appears to me thro’ thé whole feafon, 
Bees begin to work and breed earlier or later in the 
fpring, according as the feafon is more or lefs encourag- 
ing: according as the flowers appear upon the earth, 
and the weather will fuffer them to go abroad. 
In a very warm and early {pring I have fourd them 
at their foreign labours about the middle of ‘Fanuary; at 
other times in February; but in a very cold and late 
e fpring 
