Of the Bees Enemies. 137 
I have likewife oftentimes obferved them coming out: 
of the colonies, no way hurt or wounded, but in full 
ftrength and vigour, at which time I have apprehended. 
many, and deftroyed them. 
Muft we not then conclude the account given by that: 
author as the production of a very luxuriant fancy, or 
the effect of great inadvertency ? 
Once more, what he writes of a grand feftival on the 
Queen’s progrefs through all her dominions, and of form- 
ing a large veil, behind which nothing can. poffible be 
feen, and all in honour to her majefty’s proceffion, paf- 
fes with me more for fancy, than matter of fa. But I 
leave the reader to his liberty. 
He alfo tells us of Bees in France, that j idiniey three 
times a day two leagues from home; nay three leagues 
for agreeable provifion. Such furely are poffefled of 
fome very peculiar excellencies.* , 
The laft and worft enemies of all, are their moft in- 
orateful owners, who annually deftroy them by whole. 
fale. To prevent this practice to the utmoft of my 
power, I refer all my readers to the tenth chapter, which 
it is heped will at once fufficiently direct, and effeQually 
engage them in favour of fuch i innocent, inftrugtive, di- 
Jigent, faithful, and profitable creatures, 
Of the Age of Bees. 
HERE alfo 1 find authors divided in their opinions, 
The life of Drones is fhort, being executed and caft out 
at the Queen’s command ; but the Queen being loft, I 
® Nat Delin, p. 117, have 
