20 . THE HISTORY OF BEES 
Of their Courage. 
THEIR valour and magnanimity is equal to their loy= 
alty. I know no creatures that in refolution and cou 
rage equal thefe. They aré fo bold, daring and intrepid, 
that nothing can intimidate them: not an army in mar- 
tial order, with founding drums and trumpets, and roar- 
ing cannon, thofe meflengers of death. Once engaged 
they fear no enemies ; they regard no perfon: nor will 
they ever yield, till difabled or deftroyed; they will con- 
quer or die. | 
— Htis perfectly furprizing to fee fo much refolution and 
courage in fuch little, contemptible infects. “They have 
{mall bodies, but great fpirits, anid great wrath. ‘¢ Ex- 
“* afperate them near their hives, in their bufieft time of 
** Jabour, and you may-as well take a bear by the tooth, 
** or offer to bind a lion with a fingle thread or hair, as by 
* refiftance and oppofition to compofe and quiet them.” 
Should any man queftion the trath of this, he may 
quickly refolve the doubt, arid too late repent his foolifh 
rafhnefs and prefumption. | 
About twenty years ago a friend of mine, at a neigh~ 
~bouring village in this parifh, in the month of Fune, 
faw a fwarm of Bees entering into an high afh-tree, 
which was hollow, growing in the common field near 
his houfe; no perfon laying any claim, or pretending, 
any right to them, he was defirous to gain them for his 
own property, 3 
When 
