tions on the reception
of a stranger queen; M. de Reaumur's
observations on the subject 137

LETTER 8.--Is the queen oviparous? What influence
has the size of the cells where the eggs
are deposited on the bees produced?
Researches on the mode of spinning the coccoons 145

LETTER 9.--On the formation of swarms 171

LETTER 10.--The same subject continued 201

LETTER 11.--The same subject continued 223

LETTER 12.--Additional observations on queens
that lay only the eggs of drones, and on
those deprived of the antennae 237

LETTER 13.--Economical considerations on bees 253

APPENDIX 275

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE

The facts contained in this volume are deeply interesting to the
Naturalist. They not only elucidate the history of those industrious
animals, whose nature is the peculiar subject of investigation, but they
present some singular features in physiology which have hitherto been
unknown.

The industry of bees has proved a fertile source of admiration in all
countries and in every age; and mankind have endeavoured to render it
subservient to their gratifications or emolument. Hence innumerable
theories, experiments, and observations have ensued, and uncommon
patience has been displayed in prosecuting the enquiry. But although
many interesting peculiarities have been discovered, they are so much
interwoven with errors, that no subject has given birth to more
absurdities than investigations into the history of bees: and
unfortunately those treatises which are most easily attained, and the
most popular, only serve to give such absurdities a wider range, and
render it infinitely more difficult to eradicate them. A considerable
portion of the following work is devoted to this purpose. The reader
will judge of the success which results from the experiments that have
been employed.

Perhaps this is not the proper place to bestow an encomium on a treatise
from which so much entertainment and instruction will be derived.
However, to testify the estimation in which it is held in other nations,
the remarks upon it by the French philosopher Sue, may be quoted, 'The
observations are so consistent, and the consequences seem so just, that
while perusing