MEMOIR OF HUBER. 
19 
should both have laboured under a similar personal 
defect, occasioned, too, by the same causes ; for the 
same intenseness and minuteness of observation which 
deprived Huber of sight altogether, had brought on 
in Bonnet a weakness of vision which for a time 
threatened total blindness, and from which he never 
fully recovered. 
It will readily occur to every one that the loss of 
sight in Huber must not only have presented a very 
serious obstacle to the successful study of his favourite 
science, but must have had the elfect also of throwing 
considerable doubt on the accuracy of his experiments 
and the reality of his discoveries. His most devoted 
admirers and most unhesitating followers in every 
thing connected with the economy of Bees, are bound 
in candour to acknowledge, that his observations, 
reported, as they were, at second hand, and depend- 
ing for their accuracy on the intelligence and fidelity 
of a half-educated assistant, were, of themselves, not 
entitled to be received without caution and distrust. 
Francis Burnens, his assistant, had no doubt entered 
with enthusiasm into the pursuit, and appears to have 
conducted the experiments not only with the most 
patient assiduity, but with great address and no small 
share of steadiness and courage, qualities indispensable 
in those who take liberties with the irritabile genus 
apum. Still Burnens was but an uncultivated peasant 
when he became Huber’s hired servant, and possessed 
none of those acquired accomplishments which serve 
to sharpen the intellectual faculties, and fit the mind 
for observing and discriminating with correctness. 
