“8 THE HISTORY OF BEES, 
-Rufden {ays it is not an egg, but fperm, and hath no fkin 
to keep it in it’s form, as the eggs of filk-worms.* - But 
how can we imagine this to be any other than an egg ; 
no fperm being enclofed in a fhell or membrane, as this 
is ? whence it will naturally follow this is a female. Mr. 
Bradley fays it is an egg, formed by a thin, white, and 
{mooth membrane.t+ ; 
From the aforefaid remarks, I have taken the liberty 
to dignify this infect above the reft, and to diftinguifh 
her by the name of Queen, an{werable to the title-page. 
Yet after all that hath been offered upon this head, it 
feems to be a moot point, that will admit of a further 
debate. As I cannot attain to a full fatisfa@tion herein 
myfelf, how can I expect the arguments fhould admini- 
ter the fame to the readers, whom I muft Jeave to his 
own judgement and choice. Nor will I quarrel with a- 
ny perfon, though he may perhaps apprehend fome fea- 
fons for not embracing my opinion. | 
Thus are we humbled thro’ our own ignorance. Here 
we fee how our intelle&tual powers are confined and ‘li- 
-mited ; not an infect, a pile of grafs, a fingle hair, or an 
atom, but is enough to puzzle the {kill and wifdom of 
the greateft philofopher. 
And thus has God punifhed our pride and prefumpti- 
on in afpiring to be as Gods, knowing both good and e- 
vil. 
‘Since then there are fuch fecrets and myfteries in the 
kingdom of nature, as alfo of providence ; why may there 
not be the'fame'in the kingdom of the Redeemer? f or 
why 
_ Rufden, p. r | oes «iF + Bradley, p. 233. | 
t 2°Tim. iii, 16, LEye eh To Tis euoeC elas LUSipiey. 
