34 
MEMOIR OP SWAMMERDAM. 
have no other true knowledge than that of our own 
weakness and imperfections. Of ourselves we can 
do nothing, all we have we receive from the gracious 
hands of the Supreme Being, the munificent rewarder 
of good actions, of whose divine favour I wish you 
uninterrupted enjoyment.” * 
In the end of September, 1673, Swammerdam 
brought to a conclusion a work which had long oc- 
cupied his attention, on a subject admirably adapted 
to his peculiar powers. No one so deeply interested 
as he had been from his infancy in the general history 
of insects, could fail to be particularly struck with 
the economy of bees, combining, as it does, much 
of what is most remarkable in other tribes of insects, 
with a great deal peculiar to itself. His efforts to 
become acquainted with their habits, and especially 
with their anatomical structure, have not been sur- 
passed in labour and perseverance by any subsequent 
enquirer. For months together he was accustomed 
to commence his investigations at six o'clock in the 
morning, (when he could obtain sufficient light at 
that hour,) and continue them without interruption 
till twelve, seated all the time in the open air, with 
his head uncovered and exposed to the sun, the 
strongest light being necessary to enable him to use 
his magnifying glasses to the best advantage. About 
noon he was compelled to desist, as his eyes by that 
time began to fail from continual exposure to a bright 
light, and intent observation of minute objects through 
Book of Nature, Hill’s edition, Part II. p. 153. 
