138 THE HISTORY OF BEES. 
have known them live all the winter with the common 
Bees, and not killed with cold, contrary to: what authors 
affert. | 
As to the age of the Honey-Bees itis difputed. Some 
take them to be mere annuals; others there rae who 
tell us they live many years. 
By fucceffion it is true they live feveral years in hives, 
as well as colonies; as did the Bees under the leads in 
Oxford over Ludovives Vives'’s ftudy, where they conti- 
hued from 1520 to 1630. . 
- Mr. Mouffet fuppofes they may live thirty years; and 
fays he knew a ftock that continued in the cieling of the 
Dutchels of Somerfet’s houfe more than three decads of 
years, and queftions whether they die of age at all. 
“The French author fays they live feven or eight years, 
and fometimes longer. By fucceffion I have known ° 
them live that number of years in hives, and advife none 
to keep them fo long a time. | 
Dr. Butler affirms it, that a Bee is but a year’s . bird, 
with fome advantage : and others fay her age is but a 
year at longeft. Iam well affured great numbers of 
them die annually thro” hard Jabour. Obferve with 
fome ftri€tnefs an hive of Bees in Fuly, and you may 
perceive many amongft them of a dark colour, with 
wings rent and torn, and in September not one of them 
to be feen; and it is my opinion that a Bee lives no lon- 
ger than two fummers ; yet that is a long life, if compa- 
red with the wafps, the drones, or the filk-worms. 
Why then fhould they not be fuffered to live out all 
their time ? 
