ROBERT SYDSERFF'S TERMS. 181 there is not, in the whole book, one page, nor even a line, which I do not know, or have not reason to believe to be true; but as part of it may appear strange to ignorant persons, who know nothing of the nature of Bees, the several facts are attested in the leaf immediately preceding the first page of the work, by persons who were eye-witnesses to the same, whose characters are too well known to admit a doubt of their truth and reality. As the principal object of this treatise is to promote the instruction and good of others, I have only to say, that if in any thing I am mistaken, I shall be glad to be set right; for the more we know of those industrious and profitable insects, the Bees, the more we may be perplexed-but we shall be led to admire and adore their wonderful properties and œconomy, though no man can search them out to perfection. LEIGH-ON-MEndip, ROBERT SYDSERFF. P.S. Any gentlemen whose Bees have omitted swarming until the latter end of June, and are desirous of increasing their stock, may have swarms taken out of any old Hive, by Mr. Sydserff, the author, which shall do as well, or better, than those which come forth of their own free choice. In like manner, Bees are taken out of hollow trees, walls, or any other places, on the following terms, if not farther than four miles from his house. s. d. For taking a swarm from an old Hive 5 0 Out of a hollow tree, or other place of danger. 2 6 ....... 1 0 K 182 WITNESSES TO R. SYDSERFF'S TRUTH. CONTENTS. Chapter I.-An Anatomical Description of the Common or Working [Chapter II-A Description of the Male or Drone Bee, with Experi- Chapter IV.-On the Breeding of Bees, Wasps, and other Insects, with Directions for making yourself known to Bees, and to prevent being stung. Chapter V.-Of the Swarming of Bees, and the Methods of discovering when they may be expected, with other matters. Chapter VI.-On the Driving of Bees, with necessary Instructions for that purpose. Chapter VII.-The manner of Bees' Working, and when and in what Chapter VIII.-On the Feeding of Bees, with Instructions for late [Chapter IX.-On the Bees' Enemies, and Remedies against them.] This is to certify, that we whose names are hereunto subscribed, having carefully inspected the following pages, do declare the same to be authentic: Pages 5, 6, 15, 27, 40, 67, 85, 86-R. SYDSERFF. 8, 9-WILLIAM TAPP. Page 17-JOHN EDWARDS. 24-BENJAMIN BUDGETT, M. MILLARD. 30-M. HOLDER. Pages 29, 76, 97-THOMAS PADFIELD. Page 76-THEOPHILUS PONTING. 66-D. HORTON, JOHN WEBB. Pages 24, 25, 27, 28, 56, 71, 72, 76-ISAAC BUDGETT. Page 59-ABRAHAM POTTER. Pages 80, 81-JOHN SEASON. Page 82-ZEBEDEE BEACHIM. 94-WILLIAM ASHMAN. THE WORKING BEE SHORT-SIGHTED. 183 SYDSERFF'S TREATISE ON BEES. CHAP. I. AN ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON OR WORKING BEES, AND OF THE EFFECTS OF THEIR STINGS. AMONG the variety of insects, there are none can compare with the Bees. Whether we consider their curious form, their indefatigable labour, their admirable work, in building their cells, &c., we must be forced to acknowledge the infinite wisdom which directs their unerring steps, and has made them fit to be an emblem of art, industry, and frugality to mankind. The Working Bee is about three-quarters of an inch in length, having a very large head, with large eyes, covered over with a horny membrane; this is the occasion of their being so dim-sighted when they first fly abroad, and that they take so much pains at the door in rubbing and wiping their eyes, that they may the better discern their way forth and back again. The horns, which grow a little above the 184 BEES HAIRY ALL OVER, LIKE DOGS. eyes, are about the length of a wheat corn, in each of which are two joints, one in the middle, the other near the end, by which they can put them forth to the full length, and draw them in close to the head, when they please, and are the instruments of feeling, which do greatly help their dimness of sight. In the mouth are the teeth, which meet in a different way from those of other creatures: not one over the other, but side-ways, like a pair of pincers; with these they lay hold of robbers, and bring forth their dead, bits of old comb, and whatever is offensive to them. The tongue is much longer than the mouth will contain, and is so doubled underneath, and reacheth a good way down the breast; it is divided into three parts, whereof the two outermost serve as a case to cover the third, which being the chief, the Bee, in its work, putteth forth beyond the other, and draweth in again, as it please; and this third part is likewise divided into three, so that there are five in the whole. The Bees have also four wings, by which they can fly into any part of the earth with the greatest swiftness. In the same manner, they are enabled to fly back again with their loading, until their incessant labour hath worn out their wings; which happens, with some of them, when they are about thirteen months old; for this reason none live more than fifteen months, the decay of their wings being the cause of their death; for, although they may be able to fly with their ragged wings from the Hive, when they are loaded they cannot recover the Hive again, but drop on the ground, and can rise no more. This is very easily proved, by observing the old Bees in the months of July and August, when they fly from the Hive, and when they return. The old Bees are easily known, not only by their ragged wings, but also by the colour of their hair; for Bees are all over as hairy as a dog. The Bee has also six legs, and stands fast upon four, A TRUE HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY. 187 loudly that I could not hear the child's cry. I ran as quick as possible into the garden, and saw the mother running about and grasping the child in her arms, endeavouring to save him from the furious Bees. On seeing me she cried out, "The child is stung to death;" and as she also was stung very much, so I did not escape being stung in several places, only in taking the child from its mother and running with it into the house. Many Bees followed us; and, I believe, more than a score were seen flying up and down the glass of the window, on the outside, in less than half a minute. I found several Bees entangled in the child's hair, and to prevent their stinging him, I pulled them out in a hurry, Bees and hair together. As soon as I had extricated the child from the Bees, my next work was to pluck out the stings that were to be found, more or less, from head to foot; but all over the head they greatly abounded. Several I pulled out of the tongue, and thirteen out and off one of the ears. Immediately applying to Mr. Robert Grimsteed, apothecary, for advice, he said, he could not tell what could be done, unless I was to anoint him all over with sweet oil. This I did, as fast as possible; but I believe it did the child neither good nor harm. The effect of this disaster was, that he looked pale and appeared to be sick, but there was not the least sign of any swelling. Soon after this he fell asleep, and lay sleeping in his mother's lap for several hours; and about ten o'clock in the evening (to the joy and surprise of his weeping parents) he opened his eyes, and appeared to be perfectly recovered. We all went to rest for the night, and not a single complaint was heard of afterward. From hence I take the opportunity of observing, that, if I am stung by a Bee in the face, I generally 'swell almost blind; if on the back part of the hand, the swelling ascends to the tops of my fingers; but if I am stung by two Bees near the same place, the swelling is not so much; and if I am stung by ten or more Bees, the swelling is very little, or |