SWARMING AND MATING FLIGHT 
57 
pose. Scientific studies of such nature were not then 
held in high regard, and the father felt ashamed and 
aggravated that his son’s brilliance should be so 
employed. When he withdrew all financial support, 
John Swammerdam suffered many privations which 
injured his physical and mental health. 
His great work is The Boo\ of Nature, or the 
History of Insects. The microscope was then in its 
infancy, and it is doubtful if he ever used more 
than what we would term magnifying glasses. But 
his dissections were very delicate, and he puts the 
breath of life in his discussions and conclusions. 
The fervor of his enthusiasm and devotion to his 
“Cause,” under the most trying circumstances, are 
inspiring. 
I own a rare and valuable old copy of The History 
of Insects, translated into English from the original 
Dutch and Latin edition and printed in London in 
1758. I never tire re-reading that section of the 
book entitled: “A Treatise on the History of Bees: 
or an accurate description of their origin, generation, 
sex, economy, labors, and use.” 
According to Swammerdam, the French origi¬ 
nated the name of “bee-bread” for pollen. He says: 
“The French give with great propriety the name 
BeeS'bread, Fain des Abeiles, to the farina or dusty 
