Their Method of Generation. ~ 83 
- But the flowers being but few, their firft importations 
are fo {mall and inconfiderable, that without a very clofe, 
ftri&t, and accurate obfervation, they will eafily efcape 
our notice. Yet as the fpring comes on, and flowers, 
&c, increafe, their burthen becomes moée vifible. 
Now fince Bees (as confefled on all hands):breed not 
till the flowers furnifh them. with proper food for the 
young foetus, and they are feen to tranfport this mattes 
daily to their hives, it-fhould: feem that it is collected for 
no other ufe, nor devoted to any other fervice, than the 
nutrition of the young while in the cells, and not as bread 
for them afterwards. ti 
- The more of this matter they carry in, the greater 
numbers are produced, and the hives fill the fafter; a 
plain intimation to me that it is thus employed. 
- Inthe midft of fummer, when there is the greateft 
plenty of honey, and they have not only enough for thofe 
of their own family, but for as many more, they conti- 
nue the ‘practice as in the fpring; a clear vindication 
(methinks) that the faid matter is purely intended for 
nourifhment to the young inthe cells, and for no other 
purpofe, nor appropriated to any other ufe. 
Mr. Rujfden alfo obferves, that the more plentifully 
this matter is tranfported to their hives, the greater quan+ 
tity of water is carried at the fame time, without which 
they cannot breed. And_as the collection of thefe two 
different materials are affamed, fo likewife are they dif- 
continued and laid down together. | 
But I have met with a late objeftion fae what [ 
am now difputing for, from a gentleman in Bucks, who 
F 2 has 
