168 
Mr. Hunter's Observations on Bees . 
if the weather should happen to be so warm as to prevent 
this effect, then they are so restless, that they commonly de- 
stroy themselves, or wear themselves out ; at least, after a few 
days confinement we find them mostly dead : and thirdly^, the 
account given of the formation of a royal cell, without men- 
tioning the above inconvenience, which is natural to the expe- 
riment, makes me suspect the whole to be fabricated. To 
obviate the first objection, which I found from experiment to 
prevent any success that otherwise might arise, I put my par- 
cel of bees, with their comb, in which were eggs, as also mag- 
gots, and in some of the trials there were chrysalises, * into 
a warmer place, such as a glass frame, over tan, the sur- 
face of which was covered with mould, to prevent the rising of 
unwholesome air: but from knowing that the maggot was fed 
with bee-bread, or farina, I took care to introduce a cell or two 
with this substance, as also the flowers of plants that pro- 
duce a great deal of it, likewise some honey for the old 
ones. In this state my bees were preserved from the cold, as 
also provided with necessaries ; but after being confined several 
days, upon opening the door of the hive, what were alive 
came to the door, walked and flew about, but gradually left it, 
and on examining the combs, & c. I found the maggots dead, 
and nothing like any operation going on. 
* I chose to have some chrysalises, for I supposed that if my bees died, or flew 
away, the chrysalises when they came out, which would happen in a few days, 
not knowing where to go, might stay and take care of the maggots that might 
be hatched from the eggs ; but, to my surprise, I found that neither the eggs 
hatched, nor did the chrysalises come forth ; all died: from which I began to suspect 
that the presence of the bees was necessary for bot . 
