CHAP. I. The Excellency of Bees.

BEes are the most excellent of all Insects whatsoever, and expresse both worth and wonder in all their waies: They only afford delightful food, and plea­sant nourishment for man, whereas the best in other kindes serve only for Phy­sick, or the pleasure of the eye, or the delight of the ear, or the cloathing of the body: the most part whereof is by these also some way or other abundantly supplyed; so that natures power is no lesse in Bees, than in the greatest, and most perfect creatures; Jo. Rains. Text. Epithet. Dr Jones Comment in Epist. ad Phi­lem. Carden. l. 7. de Variet [...]t, rerum. for hee that made the Camel, and the Elephant, made the Bee too. This is somewhat, but yet not enough; because they are the most excellent Creatures for Prudence, and profit, ex­cept man; and indeed the divine wisdome hath thus ordered it, that wee might understand that Prudence consists not in the greatnesse of the body, but in the minde, which hath no need of magnitude, but as it is lesse, is so much the more excellent. Here is magnum in parvo, a little in quantity, but much in worth and quality.

The Bee is a little creature, but Gods smallest springs prove at length main Oceans, his least beginnings grow into great works, great wonders.

Who can imagine that so many pleights and joints, con­nexions, [Page 2] and concatenations, should bee orderly disposed in so small a fabrick? That in a body so little, the joints should move so actively, the wings stirre so nimbly, the sting pene­trate so deeply, the senses utter forth themselves so sharply, Nay, the lungs, (though scarcely visible) to breath so power­fully, Chrysost. Comment in Epist. Paull ad Philip. c. 2. c. 4. doth any then glory, or is proud for his skill in various arts! What in this respect is wiser, or better instructed than the Bee? What Artificer is so various, what Painter, what Geo­metrician can imitate her works?

Why do wee then marvail at the Tower-bearing shoulders of Elephants, and not rather where Nature hath planted so many senses, and such industry in such little bodies? where is hear­ing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and feeling, yea where are the Pliny saith, no creature can live or move without them. Veines and Arteries in these so little bodies, which a little di­stance from us can scarcely bee seen with our eyes: And what shall wee say of the parts of the same? and yet in this little Bee is such sagacity and industry, as the like is not seen in crea­tures of greater quantity.

The great Artifex of Nature hath enlarged the smaller crea­tures with wisdome, and invention, so teaching that greatnesse Tertul. adver­sus Marcion. lib. 1. is to bee found in meannesse (as the Apostle saith) strength in infirmities. Imitate if thou canst the Bees buildings, the Ants hills, or lodgings, the Spiders nets, the Silk-worms webbs.

Such therefore are not a little mistaken, who affirm that there is neither much strength, nor yet such beauty in small crea­tures, Ant. of Gue­vara famil. E­pist. as in the greater; nay, that whereas the greater, as the E­lephant, and Horse are profitable, the lesser serve only to offend, whereas what Creature for profit can compare to the Bee, or the Silk-worm?

And though the greatest thing the Vulgar praise her for, is her laborious industry, yet indeed the least thing that may bee praised in her, is her industry.

CHAP. II. Of the Name.

IN Hebrew a Bee is called, [...] Debora, from the order of their work, which they frame with admirable art and industry; Among the Greeks, Bee [...] had various names, according to the va­riety of Nations; and Countries, but the most Vulgar was, [...] (and Hesiod hath [...], from Hony, whereof the Bee is the Chymical preparer) and they are also called, [...], because no Insect is so profitably industrious. The Latins call them Apis and Apes, because as Virgil, they are trunca pedum prime, first bred without feet: And indeed the Worm or Potential Bee, called by the Greeks [...], Scbad [...]n, is without leggs, but after her Metamorphosis (of which afterwards) shee comes forth a six-legged creature, but because this Etymology answers not Analogy, as other com­pounds, it is supposed by others to bee a simple word: So also Servius and Pyr. Perottus in C [...]rnu [...]op. Lucian therefore calls them, [...], A. Canlep. in dictionar.

The word Bee, according to Goropius, is originally Dutch, Gorop. Be [...]an. Her [...]th. lib [...] and therefore English; and so composed (saith hee) because it affords us many things: Wax, for curing of dolours, wounds, Ulcers; for lights, Ceare-cloath, and many other things; and for Hony it would require a daies work to declare the benefit and worth thereof. And though these bee great benefits, yet there are more excellent and remarkable to bee observed from this Creature: For every Common-wealth, every King­dome receive their best directions and precepts, whereby the duties of the King towards the people, and of the people to­wards the King, and of the Citizens among themselves are [Page 4] most clearly taught. If they hold forth any patterns to us, wee readily write after them, and practise them. For it sig­nifies also, saith [...]ee, to command or rule, because it is the same supream Majesty, that affords and bestows all things, and commands all things. Wherefore the Architect of words by a singular prudence hath commended to us Monarchy, in­cluded in certain limits by the name of Bee; which state who­soever attains, it is necessary that hee imitate the King of Bees, who so deports and carries himself, that hee is beloved, provided for, and protected by all the Bees; and yet in the mean time so farre from offering injury or wrong to any, that he hath no sting to hurt any (so Goropius) but which i [...]truer and bet­ter, hee never useth it to the hurt of any.

CHAP. III. The Definition and Description of a Bee.

A Bee is a Flying Insect, four winged, six legged, best skilled in making of Hony, her shape is little, brown, bow­ing, oblong, not globous, as some: Her eyes are covered with Mouffet. The­atr. insector. a horny membrane, or tunicle for their better desence and safeguard; they are of a shining black, like Jet, transparent as Arist. de par­ [...]ibus, animal. lib. 2. [...]. 13. and also Plin. lib. 11. c. 37. Glasse, immoveable, contrary to Aristotle, who saith, all In­sects move their eyes, as four-footed beasts their ears; not sunk within their heads (as Mouffetus) but somewhat promi­nent, no eye-brows: Their eyes are placed on the outside of their cheeks, or rather are in stead of cheeks; o [...] long, greater above than below, through which the species of things vi­sible are conveyed to the common sense. The horns are cal­led by Aristotle, Antennae, because they hold them forth be­fore them; They are very pliable, and readily bending almost every way: they grow almost at the top of either eye, for de­fence with two joynts, one close to the head, the other towards the middle, so that shee can put them forth at full length, when shee will, and draw them d [...]wn again close to her head: And they are the proper instruments of the sense of feeling by which, with the least touch, shee suddenly senteth any tangible object, [Page 5] The Drones eyes are farre larger, being almost two thirds of their head, with two moveable wreathed horns, growing out together between the eyes, but extending like a fork.

For gathering her provision, shee hath two instruments, her fangs, and her tongue; her fangs in fashion of a pair of pincers, hang not as the jaws of other things, one over ano­ther, but side-waies, one against the other: Her tongue is of that length, that her mouth cannot hold it, but being doub­led between her fangs under her throat, it reacheth to her breast; it is divided into three parts, whereof the two outmost serve as a case to cover the third, which being the chief, the Bee in her work, putteth forth beyond the other, and draweth in again as shee pleaseth, and this third is likewise parted into three; so that there are five in all.

In their fangs or chaps, wherein are their teeth, their princi­pal strength consisteth; for in their conflicts, where they slay one with their sting, they kill twenty with their teeth, quickly biting off the wings, or breaking the leggs of their adversaries: And therefore Mr. Butler was somewhat deceived, who ac­counteth this pinching of other Insects (for against them only do they▪ use them) to bee rather a chiding, than a fighting, a warning, than a punishment; being indeed a deadly and mortal instrument of revenge; so that after a battel you shall see them lye sprauling, hopping away, and crauling in great multitudes, either drawing on the ground one, or more of their leggs, or doubling the nether part towards the ground, or turning the same awry to the one side, or other, but as many as are bitten, within a short space will certainly dye.

They [...]unne at first limp [...]ng away, but survive very little: And that they are not stung to death, that in such variety of mo­tions, proclaim their various hurts is very apparent.

First, Because there is no sting appearing in them; nay, more die lamed in their leggs, than hurt in all other parts; and besides, their leggs are not susceptible of a sting: And if you observe many of them, before they be let go by their Antagonists, the Victor retains her sting still: But saith one, their skin is so thin and Mr. Remnant Hist. of Bee [...]. c. 3. dry, their spears come away again without hurt to themselves; but this is not so, for I have often seen them stricken in their backs, and breasts, and also between their pleights, or ringles of [Page 6] their nether part, and the sting herein detained. It is true in a great Carnage, very few are stricken with their sting, or spear which they are loath to use, when their fangs will right them; as they will against [...]osects, because it is deadly also to them­selves.

But their stings they chiefly use against men, beasts, and Fouls, for knowing that their bitings are little, or no way pre­judicial against such able creatures, they will kill themselves to injure others: for their sting like a barbed arrow, once entred into skin or flesh, is holden so fast, that they cannot draw it out again; and when they would bee gone, leave therefore a part of their entrals fastened to it, so that when they overcome by sting­ing, they get a Cadmian victory, loseing thereby their own lives. They are hairy almost all over their bodies, especially the fore-part.

A Bee hath four drye pelluced skinny wings (and so have all Insects that live in fields, and wander about for their food) two Aristot. de par­tibus animal. lib. 4. c. 6. [...] are growing near together, on either side of their shoulders, but the inmost are somewhat shorter than the other, least they should hinder their flying; and these swiftly convey them into every place (though some miles remote) round about their ha­bitations, until by often using of them, they grow torn and jagged (the infallible characters of old age, and death) and are unable to support them, yet will they venture forth (but with the price of their lives) not being able to return.

The hinder part of their bodies is full of ringes, or pleights, of Cardan. de subtil lib. 9. which this reason is given: the beginning of motion must bee in some part, which if it were hard, could not be moved, but with the leggs, as Crabbs, but if it were all soft, it could much lesse be moved, because there is nothing firm; and therefore there is a necessity of these ringes, that interchangeably the hard parts may be mixed with the soft.

Their tails are somewhat sharp (the Drones more obtuse) within which is their stings joyned to their entrals, which ordi­narily lie bid (as Aristotle) least they should bee spoiled, but they readily exert, and put them out on all occasions rather (as I [Page 7] said) co offend men, and beasts, than their own kinde: there is another use of them for the consumption of the superfluous Avicen de a­nim [...]. lib. 8. c. 3 humidity.

They have a place for evacuation under them, and for gene­ration also, as some conceive. Her feet are six, dew-clawed, pliant, full of joynts, hairy; and as it were, two toes at the ex­treamity of either foot: her hindmost feet are longest, that shee may put them forward to her formost, which receive from her tongue the Bee-bread, and wax, and working it on the thighes of the hindmost, shee stands in the mean time on the middle-most; and though shee can, and doth ordinarily stand and go on all her feet, yet the two foremost have with her the use of hands, therewith shee stroaks and clears her eyes, be­fore her setting out, but principally in her working for the dis­posing of her labours to her thighs. All her feet are scabrous, and rough, to take hold at the first touch, and not that the flow­ers which they carry may readily stick on them, as one saith; this cannot bee, for they carry no flowers, but suppose him to understand the Bee-bread gathered of flowers, yet still he fails, Aldro▪ vand. de▪ Insectis. lib. [...]. for this is carried on the thighs, and only of the hinder feet.

In their head is a brain, their back and breast is a kinde of reddish fibrous flesh, in their stomach, is a heart and other ne­cessary members (of which more afterwards) in the hinder part of their bodies, is a little bottle, or bladder (it is not in the sto­mack, as Mouffet delivers) the mouth of it reacheth, or openeth into the stomach.

In this they carry hony, which with their heat, they defeca [...]e; purge, and concoct, whereby it lasts longer than all Aerial Ho­ny, or Manna, and rarely, if at all, corrupts. Sometimes they carry water likewise in this bottle, and not in their bill, ac­cording Mr. Hill Trea­tise of right or­dering Bees. to Mr. Hill his expression, nor yet in the soft mossinesse of their whole bodies, as hee also delivers; they have but one contracted entral, which extended, is as long as the body: The excrements are liquid, fluid, and yellow.

Aristotle in the Description of the Cham [...]leon, a vile (and in many Countries a Vulgar) Creature, is very exact, particular, Julius Caesar Scaliger com. in Aristot. de Hist. Animal. lib. 2. c. 14. and large. Scaliger having commended this, and wished for like diligence in others, saith, My judgement is, that a Philosopher [Page 8] must omit nothing, for though some things bee known to some, yet it is a secret to many, wherefore, whosoever writes, seeing hee wites to all, must do this common courtesie to all.

I question not, but that many will account mee too full, nay, tedious many times in this discourse; but I cannot shut a long foot into a little shooe, nor enclose so many Iliads of observa­tions (as one did the Iliads of Homer) in a Nut shell; for this Ecclesia. cap. 11. v. 3. would prove an indecorum, for though the Bee is little among such as flye, yet her fruit is the chief of sweet things; and shee is full of wisdome▪ and as the great Ocean hath in it things creeping innumerable, both of small and great beasts, so doth the Bee afford observations innumerable. Political, Moral, Physical, and Metaphisical, it is no wonder then if the Fisher­men in this Sea cannot take all, yet with industry may they have draught enough, and such plenty of various speculations as may delight, if not satisfie the patient Reader. Too much curiosi­ty may drown us with Aristotle in the bottome of the Sea, or burn us with Pliny on Mount V [...]s [...]vius.

CHAP. IV. Of the Kindes and Colours of Bees.

ARistotle reckons nine sorts of Bees, and Scaliger com­mends Aristot. de Hist. Animal. lib. 9. c. [...]0. this distribution, wishing hee had been so exact in other creatures, whereas here hee abounded more in words, than things. Albertus, herein Aristotles Ape, enumerates as many, but Albert. Mag. tract. 4. c. 2. in strange and barbarous termes, which it seems he forged in the shop of his invention: But whatsoever the Ancients have re­lated concerning diverse kindes, and some Neotericks, to appear as knowing as any in former ages, have described; wee in these parts of the world acknowledge (because we know) but one sort of Domestick hony gathering Bee: Some indeed live in woods, as wild, others in hives, as more familiar and milde; but these interchangeably shift their habitations: And I questi­on not, but the wilder (because more remote from the company Aristot. de Hist. lib. 5. c. 19. of men) by familiarity will prove as gentle as any.

Aristotle commends a little round Bee in the first place, and in [Page 9] the next that which is somewhat long, and in shape (not colour) like a wasp. But (as I said) wee have in these parts of Europe, but one sort of domestick Bee. And yet Pliny, Varro, Co­lumella; and in a word, all receive this distribution of Bees from him; And which is more, hee confounds the Drone into two sorts, a Thief and a Drone, which Scalliger reconcileth well thus, that by the Theef is to bee understood that which others call a Drone.

Varro citing Menocrates tells us of three kindes of Bees, one Varro de re rust. lib. [...]. black, a second red, a third party-coloured, which hee com­mends for the best.

In all the Islands of the Moluccas their hony is made of Pigafetta. certain Flies lesse than Ants. It is a report not confirmed by any, but supposing it true, the Bees (not Flies) were small, like unto the American Bees, and the Ants great, such as are in some parts of the Indies greater than our Flies.

Moreover, there is some difference in the bigness of Bees, but it is accidental, for they that are loaded (especially with water or honey) seem greater and longer than those that are empty. The Nymphs also when they come first abroad are not grown to the full bigness, which afterwards they have; and the old ones do wither and become little again.

Likewise in these three Ages their colours also do vary; for in their middle age they are brown, whereas before they are more pale, and at the last they grow grey, of whitish again, but these are differences of Bees in the same hive, and not of one hive from another, since these divers sorts are in every Hive. Natal▪ Com. Mythiolog. lib. 2.

The report is, That all Bees were at first of an Iron colour, but for feeding of Iupiter, had this reward bestowed on them to bee changed into a golden colour. But not to insist upon Fables.

In some Countries there bee white Bees, Aristotle saith, in Pontus. Many such are in America, not because they are thinner, or of a more transparent substance, or feed more sinely as some, rather they are a fainter and feebler kinde of Bees, for L. Verulam Silva S [...]lva [...]um cent. 1. 5. white is a penurious colour, and where moysture is scant, so blew Violets, and other flowers, if they bee starved, turn pale and white. Some assign this as a cause of colours, the ex­crementitious [Page 10] moysture, which as it passeth through a courser, or more fine, and delicate strainer, so are the colours brighter or darker. Others, Bees are not therefore brown or black, because their thin substance is easily dried, and that which is burnt and Card de v [...] ­rietat [...]er. c. 28. moist as a coal becomes black. Nor are Bees of one colour more than Wasps, because they feed of fewer sorts of food, than Wasps: For colours are disposed unto all things by the great Arist. de gen. animal. l. 5. c. 6 Creator, of which no more certain reason can bee given, then why some men are Negroes, others are not.

Now Negroes are not black by reason of their seed, this is confuted by Aristotle; nor yet by the heat of the clymate, for this is confuted by experience, in that Countries as hot, produce Selden [...] il­lust [...]at. on Drayt. Poly­albion▪ [...]. song. of a different colour, who can certainly shew why about the Magellanique-S [...]raits they are so white? about the Cape de Buon Speranza, when as in the East-Indian Isle, [...]ilan, and the Coast of Malabar, they are black both in the same parallel. Nor of the soyl as some have supposed, for neither haply will Onesicritu [...] a­pud Strabon▪ l. 11. other races in that soyl prove black, nor that race in other soyles grow to bee better complexioned; but rather upon the curse of Noab upon Cham, or the posterity of Chus. But of this can wee bee no more assured of than the former; for Chus inhabited a part of Mesopotamia watred by Gyon, a river of Paradise, and one of the branches of Euphrates. Sands Relat. lib. 2.

Some leaving the hot impressions in the aire, attribute it to the driness of the earth, as though the Libyan Desarts were not more dry (and yet the people no Negroes) than many parts of Africa, where they are all blacks.

Some ascend above the Moon to call some heavenly constel­lation and influence into this Consistory of nature, and there will I leave them; yea, I will send them further, to him that hath re­served many secrets of nature to himself, and hath willed us to content our selves with things revealed: As for secret things both in heaven and earth, they belong to the Lord our God, whose holy Name be blessed for ever, for that hee hath revealed to us things most necessary both for soul and body in the things of this life, and that which is to come.

CHAP. V. Bees nature and properties.

BEES are neither absolutely wilde, nor altogether tame crea­tures, but of a middle nature between both. Some Bees are not (as some conceit) ignorant or negligent in gathering honey, and framing their combs, but yet serviceable in meaner imployments (as fetching water, watching, and warding) but all are naturally skilfull in all their proper labours, and inter­changeably perform them. Their sting is more often the cause of their ruine, than instrumental for their relief; for loosing it (which they alwayes do when they sting) they unavoydably lose their lives; but with the fear of it they often chase away timorous persons from their Hives.

Some fancy that the cause of their humming noyse while they flye, i [...], least they should bee deprehended for theeves; whereas the robbing Bee, or theef, boldly discovers his purpose, as soon as hee comes near the hive which hee intends to assault, with a loud threatning noyse, proclaiming their destruction, if they shall resist, and not willingly permit their goods to bee plundered, endeavouring by fear to betray the courage that self­preservation should arm them with.

That some Bees stay at home to receive the labours of those Arist. in histot. Anim. l. 9. c. 40. that go to work (as Aristotle delivers) is but a fable; hee saith the Bees returning from their labour, shake themselves, and three or four attend and follow, and ease them of their burden.

That they carry in a windy season little stones to poise themselves, is a false relation; yet in a storm they will help themselves by flying under the Lee-side of an hedge, or en­compassing a high and hilly place (if there bee any) and so as it were by making a board (as Sea-men speak) take the advantage of the wind. But if it bee a plain Champaign Country, where evasions avail nothing; then if the wind blow strong against them, they flye low, and almost close to the ground, and rest often.

Aristotle saith, The smaller Bees are more industrious than [Page 12] the greater; his reason is, their wings are worn and jagged, their colour black, and their backs bowing, when saith hee, the greater are smooth and beautiful (like idle women) when indeed they are originally of one magnitude, but growing old, their bodies, are small thin, and grey, and their wings torn and tattered, a certain symptome of an approaching death, whereas the others beauty, and lustiness is a Crysis of their youth, not their idle­ness.

In the morning they are husht and still, saith Aristotle, un­till one (surely the Master of the watch) with two or three loud buzzings calls them all up as it were to work: But no such ex­citing sound could I ever hear; nay I am confident there is none at all. But some such like thing is practised by the Apes which some have transferred to the Bees.

Near the River Gambra in Africa, and in many other places [...]pt. Jobsons Golden trade. it is certain, that the Apes gather together towards night, some hundreds in a company, and in the trees (especially near the Rivers side) dance their Lav [...]lita's, and perform many strange Garbo [...]les; but about the setting of the Sun, one of the com­pany (called by the English Mr. Constable) with two or three loud voyces ceaseth all their disports, and after that they con­tinue quiet and silent untill the next morning when by a like voyce they have liberty given them to play and recreate them­selves.

When the Bees likewise return from work, they are (as Aristotle, and others) a while in a tumul [...]uous hurly burly, and then by degrees make less noise, and less, untill one flying about gives notice as it were that they must all to sleep; but it is no­thing so, for in full Hives in the latter part of the Spring, and in the heat of Summer, they make a great buzzing sound all night. Bees live in a Martial discipline like Souldiers in a Garrison, some al­waies watching and warding, understand it of the Summer season, when the chilling cold, or nipping frost doth not force them into their Hives: yet in the day time they continue it longer.

A hot Sun-shine or warmer aire (even in Winter) will quickly prompt them out of their Hives to take a short vagary near their stalls, but if the cold bee intense, they are quiessent, if not dormant.

[Page 13]Bees are indefatigably, that I say not covetously laborious, alwayes working, but never satisfied, alwayes toyling, but ne­ver coming to a period of their endeavours, sti [...]l progressive, never at their journies end, being impossib [...]e to bee st [...]nted, and the longer they work, the more [...]a [...]est they are, and impatient of delayes, or loyterings, while there is matter to work upon in the fields, and the weather is seasonable. Nay if the flowers decay and grow scanty; The Stocks that have enough, and to spare, will to keep themselves doing, rob from their neigh­bours.

For every Hive, or Commonwealth, endeavours to bee a Non-such, and to engross all within its own circumference, and by any means to make it self the increasing figure, though toyl, and restlesness continually attend it.

They are not offended with red coloured cloaths as some affirm, nor yet in [...]briated with sweet oyntments, no nor much offended with stinking favours: I have known twenty Hives together stand against a dunghil divers years, and thrive and pro­sper well, yet would I not perswade any to set them in such a place if hee can provide another.

They express not more love to their keepers than strangers, but they being used to them with greater confidence venture a­mong them, which some (more fearful) beholding fancie, that the Bees respect and love them more than strangers; whereas would they boldly come among them, nay take them in their hands, and carry themselves peaceably towards them (except when they bee irritated and offended before) they should finde all love and favour from them. They feed not on any flesh, nor need Pythagoras cavea [...]s for that purpose.

That some Bees gather not honey, but water for the King, and his guard, is a meer fable, for they mutually perform all im­ployments. Aelian lib. 1. c [...]p. 10.

That there is such an order that the elder Bees should have a proper place in every Hive, and the younger another, peculiar to themselves, is (as most of the opinions of the Ancients) a fabulous narration, for they are all promiscuously mixed to­gether.

Bees (as many other Insects) have neither visible bones, nor Cartilages, nor Nerves, nor fat, nor flesh, nor a brittle shell, [Page 14] as some land, and Sea-creatures have, nor that which may bee properly called a skin, but a body of a certain middle na­ture between all these like to a dry Nerve, but far softer.

Their body is divided into three principal parts, and there is motion in every part severed one from another, so that whatso­ever is the reason of their life, it is not fixed to any one member, but in the whole, and therefore Pliny was deceived, who ac­cords in the former, but denies that Insects, and therefore Bees have any symptome of life by motion in the head, except it bee cut off with the breast. Aristotle taught him this lesson, which Arist. de hist. Animal l. 4. [...]. 6. without trial hee took upon trust (as many more.) And Sealiger also after him, and is not content to entertain an errour, but in­solently insults over Galen, for placing the chief residency of the Sealig. com in loc. soul in the brain.

It is true, that the heads of Eeles and Snakes cut off, live not long, when as the body lives a great while; nay a speedy L. Verul. cent. 4. 4 [...]0. way to kill an Eele, is to peirce her through the middle of her [...]il. Upon dissection I have found that onely the head being cut off, the horns, the chaps, and the tongue also will stir, and that a great while after the separation from the body. Now the reason hereof may bee this, Bees have the spirks diffused, amost all over, and therefore they move in their several peeces, whereas men and beasts move very little time after their heads are off: And therefore it is certain, that the immediate cause of death, is the resolution or extinguishment of the spirits, and that the destruction or corruption of the Organs, is but the mediate cause; but some Organs are so peremptorily neces­sary, that the extinguishment of the spirits doth speedily fol­low, but yet so, as there is an interim of a small time; but for Worms and Bees the spirits are diffused almost all over, and therefore they move in their several peeces.

Further to illustrate this, Iohn Leo, reports that men con­demned Jo. Leo. to suffer death in Egypt, have lived a quarter of an hour, divided asunder set upon a heated Caldron, sprinkled with unslaked lime, and understood, and given answers.

A living creature is sensible in every part, so that it can ex­ercise Ca [...]d. de sub­til l. 9 it in regard of heat, and can also perform in every office that the organ, or instrument for that office is remaining; and hence are determined many controversies.

[Page 15]Some query whether a living creature can subsist without the head, others whether without the heart? Without the head they are not sensible, but live; without the heart they are sen­sible, but the heat quickly decayes, and motion, and life also.

Bees revive easily when they seem dead, being brought to the Sun or fire; the cause whereof is (as before) the diffusion L. Verul. Silva Sil. cent. 7. 69 [...]. of the vital spirits, and the easie dilating of them by a little heat; they stir therefore a good while after their heads are off, and that they bee cut in peeces, which (as before) is caused for that their vital spirits are more diffused throughout all their parts, and less confined to organs, than perfect creatures.

Augustins mentions the same with astonishment and wonder, August. lib. de quantit. anim. c. 3. Aristot. de pa [...]tib. animal. lib. 4. c 6 supposing that no reason can bee rendred for it, but that it is a secret work of God, left one soul should seem to bee divided into so many parts. Aristotle saith, that Insects are most like plants, because they have many beginnings in their essence, for as plants cut in peeces live, so Insects for a time, but plants more fully.

Bees when they flye lift themselves up; thus they do when Arist. de hist. anim l 4, c▪ 9 they arise from the Hive, but they can flye forth-right, without any visible elevation of themselves. Aldr [...]mandus would give a reason for it, because, saith hee, they want a taile, and therefore continue not long in the aire. But this by experience is found to bee otherwise, and birds that have long tailes, yet have a jumping motion in their flight, as the Wagtaile.

When the Hives are full of Bees, and well supplied with meat, neither moths, nor any other hurtful creature can much endanger them; but when they are few and weak, they easily miscarry by every adversary; so that it is not a signe of a better sort of Bee, as Aristotle delivers, but onely of want of num­bers or strength, when they neglect their own preservation, which sometimes they having formerly endeavoured, and finding their labours frustrate, they grow desperate and careless; but though in number they bee but few, and therefore their dangers many; their provision little, and therefore their fare poor and pinching, yet will they not forsake their own Commonwealth to communicate of the wealth or strength of others, but without repining rest contented, yet by diligence endeavouring to im­prove [Page 16] their store and numbers. But when they are so few that they cannot thrive alone, they will with a general consent (ex­cept their Generals, to whom such a resolution is deadly) some­times joyn themselves to another Hive, but alwayes with hazard, often with destruction.

Bees delight to play abroad before the Hive, flying in and out as thick as if they were fighting or swarming, in breeding time, once a day usually, if it bee fair weather, and ordinarily at a set time, each Hive observing the same hour of the day if it bee fair; and then they will expatiate and dance the Hay in circling motions, and surrounding Vagaries; and at other times when they have been long shut up with cold, or closer weather, the first fair day they will thus abroad both to recreate them­selves, and also to ease their bodies, for they evacuate for the most part flying.

CHAP. VI. Bees Politicks, Ethicks, and Economicks.

ONe drop of water hath no power, one spark of fire is not strong, but the gathering together of waters called Seas, and the communion of many flames do make both raging and invincible elements. And una Apis, nulla Apis, one Bee is no Bee, but a multitude, a swarm of Bees uniting their forces to­gether, is very profitable, very comfortable, very terrible, pro­fitable to their owners, comfortable to themselves, terrible to their enemies.

Bees are political creatures, and destinate all their actions to one common end; they have one common habitation, one com­mon work, all work for all, and one common care and love to­wards all their young, and that under one Commander, who is not an elected Governour; for the vulgar often want judge­ment, Basil. Concio▪ in Go [...]dium Ma [...]tyr. & Hexame [...] ▪ ho­mil. 8. raising the worst and wickedest to the Throne; nor hath hee his power by lot, for the chances of lots are absurd, and ri­diculous, conferring command often upon the meanest: Nor is hee by hereditary succession placed in the Throne; for often through pleasures and flatteries are they rude and ignorant [Page 17] of true vertue, but by nature hath hee the Sovereignty over all, excelling all in goodliness, and goodness, in mildness, and majesty.

They have all the same common laws, and with common Ambros. Hex­am. l. [...]. c. 21. care, observe them all, and have one common bond, not to have any thing lawful for one, which is not lawful for another, but whatsoever is lawful, is lawful for all. And they have one common respect, and reverence to their Commander by whose counsel their Commonwealth is governed; a common house, a common care of posterity, common labour, common food, common generation, a common use and fruition of all things.

A Bee, like a man cannot live alone, if shee be alone, shee dies: J. Stobeu [...] lau [...] nuptiar▪ p. 67. As in the Fable of Menenius Agrippa, the whole body soon perished, when the rest of the members to ease themselves wronged the belly; so the whole Commonwealth of Bees will quickly bee dissolved if they labour, each Bee for her self, and neglect the publick. Nay the Drones, though they bee idle, yet are usefull instruments for the good, and preservation of the Commonwealth.

The Polity of Bees is admirable and imitable: Plato and Cicero after a divers manner prescribed the form of a Common­wealth, one how it ought to bee, the other how it was of old, but both lay down this as a maxime, that a civil life should imitate nature which is the best instructer. But what is Na­tures lesson, the irrational creatures best express, and chiefly Bees, and therefore Plutarch sends his Trojane to Virgil, that hee Plutarch. reip. gerend. precep. might borrow a civil life from the Bees. For a civil man by natures rule is alwayes chiefe of the City, as the Commander among the Bees.

And again, hee saith, Bees conserve community unto their Plutarch. [...]n seni si [...] geren. resp. last; for no man ever saw a Bee degenerate into a Drone, which some require of Civil Governours, that the vigour of their age being past, they should live idle at home. Great spirits de­generate no [...].

They express if not great reverence, yet I am sure great love to their Commander, without whom, they will bee, they will Pet. Matthew continuat. Gen h [...]st of France. do nothing, and with whom they will bee any thing, go any whither, stay any where, bee content with any thing.

[Page 18]The Poet elegantly thus writes, Virgil. Georg. l. 4.

Xantippus therefore the Lacedemonian being General of the Polytius. Carthaginian [...] said, Hee had rather serve under the Comman­der of the Bees, than lead an army of Ants. I say, under the Commander of the Bees, who useth not his sting, that is, ex­erciseth tyranny against none, and orders nothing but that which is profitable for the Commonwealth; when as they that lead an army of Pismires, that is, men who neither will, nor know how to obey, never perform any thing notable, and praise­worthy; so that aptly Him [...] describing the Greeks, hastening to the Oration of Agame [...]non the General of the whole Army; Homer l. 2. [...]ad. and as hee calls him the Pastor of the people, compares them to Bees swiftly flying with their labours to the Hive, where their Commander is constantly resident.

The Egyptians on this ground placed on the top of the Kings Scepter the bird Cu [...]phus (which is a Stork) with a Aldrovand. de insectis lib. 1. Caelii Calcag. Apol. p [...]o Al­fonso duce Fe [...]tar. Cornucop. Pyr. Per [...]ti. & Petr. Cri­nitus de ho­nest. disc plin. River-horse underneath it, implying that piety must suppress impiety, clemency ferity▪ And from hence the Tribunes of the Souldiers among the Romans carried their swords without edges, intimating that the Generals of Armies ought not to kill the Souldiers, but to correct them, as the Commander of the Bees doth her subjects; and perhaps on this ground, the Egyptians by the Hieroglyphick of a Bee signified a King, be­cause it becomes a Commander of a people, to mingle with the sting of justice the honey of clemency.

Memorable to this purpose was the practise of a certain King of Fr [...]ce, who having conquered the Ins [...]brians, and [Page 19] entred their City, by a symbole or type thus exprest his cle­mency Baptist Man­tuan in exhort ad In [...]ub. wearing a coat full of Images or pictures of Bees, and this Motto written upon it, Rex mucrone caret, the King wants or useth not his sting.

Their Ethicks and Economicks appear in many particulars, They make frugality the basis of their subsistance, and there­fore as they laboriously gather store of honey they shut up the Cells still as they fill them, and untill Winter come, will not open them, but live in the mean time of Bee-bread, and such provision, as they get abroad, lest if they should prodigally waste while they may work, they might after starve when they cannot work. And in the pleasures of this life they are so mo­derate, that perfect temperance seems to rest onely in them.

They are neat and cleanly creatures, never suffering any filth or excrements long in the Hive, emptying themselves alwayes abroad. And if in the Winter while they are weak, and not able to indure the colder aire, filth bee contracted, yet as soon as the Spring comes, and they grow numerous, and strong, they diligently cleanse their Hives, and carry out all.

Their cleanliness also thus appears, That they will not suffer their dead to continue long in the Hive, but carry them forth to burial.

Their chastity is admirable, for whereas many other crea­tures couple together openly; Waspes also and Humble bees, and many sorts of wilde Bees scarce specifically differing from them, yet whatsoever the Bees do in Venus service they act in secret, and far remote from the eyes and knowledge of all men.

The Poets say, That this is the reason of it▪ Saturn the husband of Ops, and father of Iupiter, was wont to devoure his own children when they were brought forth (the reason of it was, because Saturn was named the god of time, and all times passing and returning, revolve again into themselves) which gave occasion to this history; when Iupiter was born his mo­ther Ops fearing the cruelty of her husband to him, concealed his birth, and the Cretans for fear that Saturn should hear the childe cry▪ [...]ung their brazen pans and kettles, which noise [...] the Bees following, came to the place where the Infant was, [Page 20] and fed him there with honey. Iupiter for so great a benefit, be­stowed on his Nurses for a reward, this admirable gift, that they should have young ones, and continue their kinde without wasting themselves in Venery.

Others report that Iupiter being much in love with a faire Mr. May An­notat on Virg. Georg. Nymph called Melissa turned her into a Bee, and for her sake bestowed this, and other priviledges on the Bees.

And they are not less valiant than chaste, though industry and diligence may do much with all other creatures, yet little with these, no not to palliate their fierceness, let them bee ex­asperated near their Hives, you may as easily binde a Lion with a single hair, as by opposition and resistance, compose and quiet them, though the creature is but little, yet virtus no [...] minima. Is it not strange to behold such a little Insect to con­tend with the most mighty, to see such vigour in a creature without bones or scales, or hard defences, and yet to bee of­fensive to, nay prevalent over the most strong, and powerfull creatures!

In valour therefore, and magnanimity they surp [...]ss all crea­tures, Mr. Buller Femin. Monar. cap. 1. there is nothing so huge and mighty that they fear to set upon, and when they have once begun, they are invincible; for nothing can make them yeeld but death; so great hearts do they carry in so little bodies.

In private wrongs and injuries done to their persons (for which cause men will soonest quarrel) they are very patient, but in de­fence of their Princess and Commonwealth, they do most rea­dily enter the field,

Their War whatsoever some say to the contrary, is onely for­reign, for though in the same Hive, by a violent or accidental congression of two swarmes, there bee sometimes a deadly con­test, and bickering, yet still it is forreigne, for they were never united under one Commander.

They never fight (whatsoever some unexperienced Observers report) for food, nor fall out among themselves for meat, but Mous [...]e [...] The [...] ­ [...]um Insect. alike communicate of all they have (though but little) and [Page 21] when it is spent (if it bee no gathering season) starve alto­gether.

Their Geometry appears in the fabrick of their combes; and their Astronomy in the knowledge of the weather, for they fore-know and presage windes and storms, and either keep themselves in their Hives, or go not far, perhaps fetch water, and quickly return.

When they flye not far from the Hive, but flye about it, the Theophrast. l. 1. de sig▪ tempestat. weather being serene and fair, it is an usual token of an ap­proaching storm, or tempest, Aratus prompted him (if not ex­perience) with this observation.

But above all, one excellent skill they have, which the most experienced females, though they much desire it, must yeeld themselves to want; for they know certainly when they breed a male, and when a female, which appears by this, that they lay their Cephen-seeds in a wide comb by themselves, and the Nymph-seeds in the rest, which are of a smaller size.

In their own Commonwealth they are most just, not the least wrong or injury is offered among them: but I cannot commend their justice towards strangers, for all that they can catch is their own, unless they may bee excused in this respect, that the Bees of divers Hives are at deadly feud, or ra­ther as Kingdomes that are at difference one with ano­ther.

If Bees, creatures without reason, have such Prudence, Providence, Fortitude, Chastity, Loyalty, Natural affection, such Government, Order, Discipline; How much rather ought men to express the same in their carriages and conversa­tions. If they abhorre Intemperance, Luft, Sloath, Rebellion, Cowardise, shall men practise them? They are then worse than Brutes, and deserve rather to bear the names of savage Monsters, than of civil and reasonable men.

CHAP. VII. Of their Senses.

CReatures produced of putrefaction are little, and weak in the senses; defective in their exteriors, much more in their interiors; yea they altogether want wisdome, and are Cardan. de subtil. l. 9. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 1 i▪ c 10. Arist. de Hist. animal. l. 4. Scalig. com. in Arist. de hist. an. l. 4. [...]7. stupid. And therefore Bees are prudent, because they are ge­nerated of a certain matter, and not without a parent.

Bees have all the five senses, though there do not appear all those outward Organs of senting, which some other Animals have: And so likewise Fishes have no visible Organ of hearing and smelling; and yet hear and smell, there is not seen perfectly in their heads a brain, yet is it the begin­ning fountain and feat of all these senses, phantasie, and me­mory.

Of all the five senses their sight seems weakest, yet is it clear, especially afar off, which guides them abroad, and di­rects them home, though sometimes they are three or four miles from their Hives.

But their sight is not so quick near hand; for sometimes they will flye against you, if you come suddenly cross them when they are laden; and also near the mouth of the Hive, if Mr. Butler Feminine Monarch. they light besides the door, they will run up and down seeking for it, as if they were in the dark (hereby verifying this truth, That things nearest the eye are furthest from sight) but then up they rise, and flying back a little way, turn again with a better view.

As many as fall besides the stool when it waxeth dark, ten to one but they lye abroad allnight; yea if at such times being troubled by any thing, they come forth out of the Hive, al­though they bee fresh and lusty, they will leap up and down, run, and flye to and fro, untill they bee weary, but by no means can they finde the way in again.

And therefore it is, that when they flye abroad they take much pains at the door in rubbing, and wiping their horney eyes, that they may better discern their way forth, and back again [...].

[Page 23]It is said by some of the Ancients, that Insects have onely the sense of feeling, which is manifestly untrue, for if they go forth right to a place they must needs see.

Their smelling is quick and excellent, for they will sent honey a mile from their Hives, and make haste to it, and when they flye aloft in the aire by it, sent any flowry Mead or Heath near them.

As soon as the hony-dew is fallen, they presently sent it, al­though the Oaks that receive it bee afar off; which the Poet (speaking of the excellency of this creature in this sense) thus expresseth,

Their feeling is as active as their other senses, nay more, for it is most individuate, it inheres in the subsistence of the creature, Mr. Brathwayt Third Essay of Touching. and cannot bee separated, or taken away without the detriment, or utter decay rather of the subject wherein it is. It may therefore bee called the living sense, although in divers dis­eases and occurrences also oft-time befalling the subject wherein it is, it may be deprived of it. As we read of Ath [...]n [...]goras of Argos, who never felt, any pain when hee was stung by a Scorpion.

Their feeling is so quick, that if you do touch a Hive very softly, or knock upon the ground near the stool, they presently resent it, making a general murmure, and many of them coming out of the Hive door, as it were to examine the cause.

And for their taste, this is evidently as active as their other senses; thereby they make choice of waters, and all other gatherings for their use and purpose.

And lastly, for their hearing, that also is good, though Aristotle doubts of it, nay denies it. Cardan saith, That Arist▪ de hist. an▪ [...] 9. c. 40. Metaph. l. 1. c. 1. Card. de subtil. l. 9. Idem de varie­ta [...]terum l. 7. Bees, because they are so small creatures, cannot hear and see too; but being flying creatures, there is a necessity of seeing, and therefore an impossibility of hearing; but hee contradicts himself, when hee tells us, though untruly, that every morning (all being yet silent if not asleep) one (the Constable sure, or the Master of the Watch) by two or three Bombes or shrill sounds like a Trumpet, calls them all up to their work; and so [Page 24] likewise in the evening, flying about the Hive, with a small humming murmure commands them to sleep.

But if Bees hear not▪ to what purpose is the calling before they swarm, and also their encouragements in fight,—

And Scaliger acknowledgeth against Aristotle, that they hear Scalig. Com­ment. in Arist. de Hist. animal. l. 9. c. 64. signa enim dont intu [...], alia atque alia etiam foris, mutat [...] mur­mure.

But in a word, further to manifest that they hear: If a swarm rise, and the Queen Bee miscarry, and fall by the way (as it oft happens) her company notwithstanding will light, expecting her coming. But being hived, they presently miss her; and with a mournful murmure bewail their condition. Some run up and down distractedly within the Hive, others without; and by and by making a sudden stop, fall into a passion of mourning, and then run up and down again, and then mourn a­gain, but in the mean time they send many to seek for her. I have often found her where shee hath been fallen, and taking her up, carried her to the Hive, where I have observed (not without admiration) how that at her first coming they have in a moment changed their former note and carriage, and with clapping of their wings, and a rejoycing murmure congratulated her presence; and those that were seeking about for her, al­though some rods distant from the Hive, in an instant, as it were, returned all home, and with a rejoycing gratulation welcomed L. Verulam. Silva. silvar. cent. 7. 6, 8. their Queen. And therefore they have hearing, which shews likewise, that though their spirits bee diffused, yet is there a seat of their senses in their head.

And as they have the outward senses, so have they the in­ward also, else could they not bee wise and prudent; understand wisdome or prudence equivocal, so called by reason of the re­semblance F. Picolomin. universa phil. de m [...]ribus. it hath with true wisdome or prudence, being able to finde out, and to manage convenient means unto natural and self-ends.

Vertue is not taken or understood one, but many wayes, sometimes for the shadow, and a slight or light resemblance thereof, in which signification Bees are called prudent, whereas prudence properly so called, belongs not to them.

[Page 25]Bees have memory, which is not a sense or imagination, or Caelius Rhed. l. ect. Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 3. understanding, b [...]t a disposition or habit of any one of them, when the time also is joyned, or added to it, wherein the im­pression is made, and the vision is left in the minde; whence this is a consequence, those creatures have memory, which have sense and understanding of time, for wee remember onely in the sensual part of the minde; for if a horse hath been mired in a slough, when hee meets with the place again, hee will pre­sently remember that hee was there mired.

And herein Brutes differ from men, That a reasonable crea­ture doth not onely remember that hee hath seen, or heard, but also differenceth the spaces of the present time, from the time past; but Brutes onely know thus much, that they have fallen (into a pit, or other dangerous place) at this present, or some­times formerly.

Again, a man observes that hee remembers, which irrational creatures do not. And among all living creatures they have the best memory, which have the most clear, pure, and perfect ima­gination, of which sort are Bees and Pidgeons.

As some creatures besides sense, have memory, and natural prudence, so some go further, for they are disciplinable; but none have experience, or very little.

Now by sense wee are to understand that sensitive knowledge which is onely in the presence of the object, whether it bee by the internal senses, or by the outward common sense or phan­tasie: For under the name of sense, the Philosopher compre­hends whatsoever is necessary to perceive or understand in the presence of the object, but there is necessary in all, somewhat of the phantasie or imagination, to understand even that which is without. And therefore it is common to all brutes, as to under­stand, so also to have imagination; but memory addes an inward strength, and power of conserving the species and using them in the absence of the objects, that by this means any thing may remember those things which it takes in the sense, even then when they are not present, in regard of the externall senses.

This faculty, saith Aristotle, some creatures have, but not all, but yet hee declares not what creatures have, or what want it. They are commonly thought to have memory, which [Page 26] may properly and perfectly bee moved from one place to a more remote, either by a progressive motion on the land, or flying through the aire, or swiming in the waters, for memory seems for this purpose to bee given to creatures, that they may bee removed to a distant place, either to avoid that which is nocive and prejudicial, or to finde that which is useful, which they have any wayes made trial of.

Further, some creatures, saith Aristotle, with memory, have prudence, which (as wee said before) is not to bee understood properly, but metaphorically, for they use not discourse, nor ac­quire a habit, whereby they may judge of what they are to do; but oftentimes so act by a natural instinct, and so provide for the future, as if they had reason indeed, and therefore by a figure are called prudent.

And this prudence of Brutes is a special sagacity in some, which by the instinct of nature, are so ordered as that they seem to imitate the reason and prudence of men; but all brutes have not this prudence, but those creatures that have it, are so per­fect, that they have all of them memory.

And wee may adde further, that this natural sagacity, then chiefly merits the name of prudence when it is trained up, and perfected by the memory of former things.

Some creatures have not onely memory, but are also dis­ciplinable, but others are not: Of this last ranke are those, which though they have memory, want the sense of hearing, for hearing is the sense of discipline; for wee see many crea­tures, dogs, and horses, act by external signes, but never without a co-operation of hearing, whereby they are called and stirred up to understand the signes. Arist. Metaph. lib. 1. cap. 1.

Now Aristotle sets down an example in Bees which hee sup­posed not to hear. But Pliny, Scaliger, and many others affirme the contrary, and by good arguments prove their As­sertion.

Albertus willing to salve the Philosophers credit, invented this distinction. There is, saith hee, a hearing of a sound, as so, or of a voyce, as it is an articulate sound, now Bees hear in the former way, not in the latter; but this latter hearing, saith hee, is necessary to make a creature disciplinable; but whether many disciplinable creatures so hear, might bear a great question; [Page 27] for although when they hear such words or sounds, they come, or flye down, or speak after the fashion of men, yet are all these things done by a natural instinct (supposing memory, and the experience of such a sign, or voice.) And therefore Suarez [...]r. Suar [...] ▪ Metaph, disp. 1. saith well, It were better to say all creatures which are disci­plinable, have hearing, and perhaps sight, memory, and a meta­phorical prudence or sagacity. But to leave these nicer disputes, (as perhaps by some supposed) impertinent to our present Discourse.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Queen-Bee.

THe Queen-Bee is a faire and stately creature, longer by the half, and much bigger than a common Honey-Bee, yet not so big as a Drone, but somewhat longer. She differs from the Common-Bee both in shape and colour; her back is all over of a bright brown, her belly even from the top of her fangs, to the tip of her train, is clear, beautifull, and of a sad yellow, some­what deeper than the richest gold: Her head is more round than the little Bees, by reason her fangs bee shorter, her tongue is not half so long as theirs; and thereby nature hath disabled her for working, for it is impossible for her short tongue to ex­tract much out of any flower, were shee never so industri­ous.

Her wings are of the same size with an ordinary Bees, and therefore in respect of her long body, they seem very short, re­sembling rather a cloak than a gown, for they reach but to the middle of her train, or nether part. Shee hath streighter, and stronger legs and thighs than a Honey-Bee, which are of the colour of their belly, but her two hind-legs more yellow. Shee hath a lofty pace and countenance expressing Majesty: That shee hath a white spot in her fore-head glistering like a Diadem, I never saw, though it bee frequently reported: Nay I am sure of the contrary.

Her nether part is much longer than her upper part, and more sharp than any ordinary Bees, having in it four ringles or [Page 28] partitions, and in each ringle a golden bar instead of those three whitish rings, which other Bees have at their three partitions. The spear or sting shee hath is but little, and not half so long as the other Bees, which like a Kings sword, is rather born for shew and authority, than any other use. I beleeve they cannot use their sting, for I have provoked and forced them to sting by hard holding of them, and putting their taile to my bare hand, but could never perceive them willing to put it forth. Nay when I have forced it out yet shee would not enter it in my hand.

In a word, the Queen Bee in her whole shape and colour, is a goodly and beautiful creature.

As the Moon when in a clear night, shee fills her circle, is more and more eminently beautiful than all the lesser stars, so is the Queen Bee among the other Bees.

There are not two sorts of Kings, or Queens in any Hive, as Aristotle, and after him Pliny; and the most have delivered, but onely one, and though a King in place and power, yet Arist de hist. Animal. lib 5. cap. 19. is in sex a female, Vocantur ab aliquibus matres qua [...]i quae pa­riant.

That two several Queens or divers companies should agree in the same Hive, though divided in their works, and neither intrench on the others subjects and labours, although the An­cients very confidently deliver it, yet it is a meer fable Mr. Googe [...]. Book in Treat. of Bees▪. Many Kings in a Hive, but falsly: As Aristotle makes two kindes of Kings, or Queens, so in every Hive hee would have at once several Kings, for although one bee enough for government, yet not for generation, saith Scaliger, supposing with Aristotle, that they were instrumental, as the males, for the generation of Bees. Arist. de hist. Animal. lib. 5. cap. 19. Scalig. Comment. in loc.

The Queens cells wherein shee breeds, are not usually in the bo [...]tome, or under the combs, but on the edges, some on the outside, some more inward in the middle of the combs.

And they often exceed Aristotles number, who determines [Page 29] them to bee six or seven, whereas in some hives there are not so Arist. de hist. Anim. lib 5. cap. 19. many, in others nine or ten.

It is a Chymerical fable that some have asserted, that the Bees first build their Commanders houses in the most eminent part of the combes, more large and beautiful than their own, and of the purest wax, and then inclose it with a waxen wall from the rest. Whereas indeed neither Commander, nor subjects have any particular habitations, for they live and lye between the combs, and the hexangle cells are repositaries for food, and nurseries for generation; and the orbicular cells are breeding places for the Royal issue.

And yet Aldrovandu [...] delivers it as a received and ancient Andro. de In­sect l. 1. truth that the Queen Bees cells are made in a more eminent part of the hive, very large, invironed with a fence, or wall, for an emblem of their greatness.

And as in conditions they are of three sorts, so they make a triple division of their cells; those nearest to the Queens Pallace, for the most ancient inhabitants, as the Queens guard, and next to those the younger, and such as are not yet a year old; but to the middle sort as the most strong and lusty are com­mitted the extremities. This is a fancy also.

The materials for the Queens generation are yellow, and Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 5 [...] c. 22. Columel de [...]e iust. l. 9. there is not first a worm, but presently a Bee, ut aiunt, saith Aristotle. And Higinius as hee is cited by Columella, saith, the Commander is not procreated of a worm as other Bees, but in larger cells than the Honey-Bees, are found holes filled with a matter of a red colour, out of which the Queen Bees are bred, even at first with wings, so that it appears there was some glim­mering light among the Ancients concerning the Queens genera­tion, but dark and uncertain.

Know thus much, that into those orbicular cells is injected a spermy matter thick like cream, but inclining to yellow, wherein and whereout the Queen Bee is bred, it being both matter of generation, and augmentation, for shee is at first (when shee is visibly any thing a perfect Bee in lineaments and shape, though not in magnitude and dimensions, and feeds of that wherein shee is bred, until shee comes to her perfection.

The Bees never destroy the Nurseries, or breeding cells of the Queen Bee, as Aristotle delivers▪ and also Pliny, although after [Page 30] they intend to swarm no more, they kill all the Royal issue then in being (nay although they bee imperfect embrioes) to preve [...]t a future distraction.

Before the Bees swarm, the Queen Bee by a peculiar and distinct voyce ( Hesic [...]ius calls it [...], which wee in English Hesic [...]ius▪ say Sing, for it is performed in a musical manner) some dayes before makes it known throughout all the Hive, that all may bee ready.

Ridiculous is the conceit of Didimus to pull off the extre­mities of the Queen Bees wings, that they may not flye away, for sometimes for recreation, and also for evacuation of their bodies, they use to go forth; and if their wings were cut would bee disabled to return.

I once had a good swarm likely to miscarry, the Queen Bees wings being accidentally torn, so that going out of the Hive, shee fell besides the stool, and could not get up again. And al­though once and again finding her before the Hive, I put her into it, yet afterwards shee went forth, and was lost. And al­most all the Bees (in her loss) neglected their work, and began to pine away, untill I furnished them with a new Com­mander.

The Queen Bee never voluntarily deserts her subjects, as Aelian and others intimate, affirming that the Bees diligently Aelian. lib. 5. cap. 12. seek her out, and return her when shee hath fled away.

Oftentimes when a swarm goeth forth, the young Com­mander being weak, is not able to follow, but falls down, some­times besides the stool, or sometimes further off, with whom some of the company will stay (such as being near her saw her fall) and encompassing her round will continue with her, except she bee taken up, and conveyed to the swarm or hive, untill they perish together. The Bees finde not their leader by the P [...]d. mexia de Bedae [...]xiomat. Philosoph. & Cantiprat. in bonum uni­versale de api­bus, lib. 1. c. 19. smell.

Many are confident that the Queen Bee never goeth off the hive, but with a swarm. Cantipratanus asserts this, but for­getting himself in the twentieth Chapter, hee saith, If her sub­jects bee weary with working, and cannot, or wander, and know not the way home again; the Queen Bee goes forth and findes them by their smell, and relieves them, and conducts them to the hive; but this is more fabulous than the former.

[Page 31]It is more than probable, that the old Queen Bees, go forth sometimes with the latter swarm (whether out of curiosity, or wantonness, or indulgency, or dislike of her proper house, or love to [...]er ancient subjects, I determine not) and this is the cause of the not thriving of many old stocks, after they have cast a second swarm; for although the Bees that are left, bee in a well replenished Hive, and therefore live out the Summer well, and work too, though not with that order and diligence as for­merly, yet will they rarely breed, but by degrees consume away, and come to nothing. I have exactly viewed divers such stocks that I have taken, and could never finde a Queen Bee among them.

If therefore you perceive a hive, after it hath cast twice, to have some quantity of Bees, and yet to work negligently, or not to increase in the Spring, suspect them to want a Queen, and supply them with one as soon as you can, if no other way, by driving a poor swarm into them, for which purpose alwayes reserve some.

It hath been a constant tradition, that the Queen Bee hath a special guard alwayes waiting on her, and that when shee goeth forth, she is alwayes attended with them. I have often seen her to go forth, but alwayes without attendance. It may pos­sibly fall out that some Bees may go abroad with her, and some others return when she comes back to the hive, but never as her special guard.

Mr. Butler saith, If the Queen Bee by her voyce bids them go, they swarm; this is warily to bee understood, namely of the latter swarm only; for the first is for ought I could ever finde out, at the will of the Commons; but there may bee a tacite consent of the Queen, but not solemnly by voyce, allow­ing their departure as in after swarms.

And again this is not alwayes true in second swarms, for after the Queen hath approved of their going forth, yet they will sometimes refuse, and manifest their dislike by massacring all the Infants of the Royal family.

I have observed some few Bees in the Spring in every good Hive, with crests, tu [...]ts, or ta [...]sels on their heads, some yellow, some murrey, in manner of a plume, some standing upright, some turning down, but in all other respects like other Honey-Bees.

[Page 32]Mr. Butler supposeth them subordinate governours and leaders, as Captains and Colonels: They are seldome seen but in May, and a little after; that they have any authority, or com­mand over the rest, or special place about the Queen Bee, I be­leeve not. This I am sure, I never saw any one of them attend her in her short progresses. Their working, I conceive wears oft this ornament.

The Queen Bee goes first out with the swarm, say some: T. Cantiprat. bonum univer­sale de apibus, lib. 1. cap. 14. but it is not so, for she goeth almost last, sometimes indeed shee comes forth half an hour before the swarm riseth, with a great company which environ, and attend her on the stool; but her company moves not untill the greater part are passed out of the hive, and then those that environed her begin to arise, and shee with them.

And as in the emission of a Colony, the Queen Bees go not Aelian lib 5. c. 11. before, neither are they carried at any time as some report.

Sometimes as I said, shee comes forth before, and stayes without; at other times shee comes first to the bottome of the stool, and perhaps out of the door, as it were chiding their slackness; but then when the swarm begins to arise, shee re­turns in untill the greater part bee come forth, when shee fol­lows, and where they usually light, joynes her self to them.

Bees are governed by a Queen, which many hold not pro­perly to come to the supremacy by succession, but by a judil­cious and prudent election, whereas it is most apparent, that the elder of the Blood-royal goes forth with the first swarm, and so the next in order with a second, although sometimes especially in castlings, or second swarms; some others venture forth. I have known eight go forth in one swarm, for they can but dye, going forth, and death is certain and inevitable if they stay. And a younger by dividing the swarm, or first getting the highest place of the Hive, may bee peaceably obeyed, with the destruction of all the rest.

Nay being necessitated, their own leader miscarrying in swarming, or by some accident afterwards. I have preserved the stock by putting to them a Queen Bee taken from another. And once, because I would bee sure, I pared off a little of one wing, and some months after, for experience sake, took the [Page 33] Hive, where I found that Commander put in by mee, and no other Leader. So that though ordinarily the Queen Bee comes to her government by birth-right and seniority, yet sometimes by election, as in the miscarriages of their old Queen, and in second swarms when two are united together.

When several Leaders go forth, one whose party prevails gets the Throne, and all the other competitors are slain. When their proper leader by some mis-hap hath been lost, I have given them another (as I said before) with whom they have well agreed, and prospered, so also in the union of swarms.

And although they are willingly subject to a leader, yet do they not altogether lose their liberty; for the first swarm goes al­wayes forth at the will of the commons; and although the se­cond, and also the third, must have the Regal assent which usu­ally (being indulgent to their issue) upon petition they grant; yet if the Commons see it not convenient to diminish their numbers, upon the Queens grant, they kill the Probationer, and all of the Blood-royal; so that Prerogative avails little in the Commonwealth of Bees.

The Queen Bee (for it is an Amazonian Commonwealth) transcends in greatness and beauty of body; but which is most praise-worthy in a Commander, in mildness and gentleness, therefore though they have stings they never use them, which the breeding or mother Wasp doth, stinging more venomously than the smaller.

The Laws whereby this Commonwealth is ordered, are na­tural, not written in letters but engraven in their manners; and so studious are they of peace, that neither willingly, nor unwil­lingly do they offer injury to any of their subjects.

Who will not hate the Di [...]nis [...]i of Sicilia, or the O [...]man family among the Turks, of the present great Mogore, or Per­sian Tyrants? who (in practise) hold Monarchy to bee no­thing else but a lawless exorbitancy in all manner of lusts and mischiefs, which ought to bee far from a good Prince, le [...]t while hee seems to bee a man, hee discovers himself to bee far worse than these irrational Insects.

And as their life is not vulgar, [...]o neither their birth and ori­ginal; for whereas all domestick Bees, at first are imperfect creatures, worms fixed to their Cells, wanting many senses for [Page 34] twenty dayes together, and then that they may live a more perfect life after a death of twenty dayes, more transmuting their shape, come forth winged creatures; The Queen Bee is bred (as I formerly hinted) in another fashion.

There bee in every Hive ordinarily on the outsides of the combs (yet sometimes in the middle) but not near the verge [...], little concave cells (but one in a place) almost like acorn cups, but nothing neat so broad, yet somewhat deeper, very strong and thick of wax, orbicular, wherein the Queen Bee injects a sper­matical substance thick like cream, but somewhat more yellow, wherein the Queen Bee is bred perfect at first in all the parts, and lying almost round in it, feeds of it, and so grows as the chicken in the shell, first of the white, and then of the yolk (while the Hen sits upon it) untill it bee disclosed.

The Atbenians banished Pisislratus from their City; and the Syracusia [...]s Dionisiu [...] from his Royalty; and many other people several Tyrants for their want of humanity and mode­ration: But in the Bees Commonwealth, never any Com­mander gave occasion of dislike to the Commons. Shee orders others what to do for the publick good, or rather nature directs them; shee is provided for, and maintained by their labour, and they directed, protected, and preserved by her so­ciety.

How the Queen Bee governs, I will not (as many conjecture) cannot certainly determine; each Bee readily fulfills, and fol­lows her proper task, and all in all, aim at the publick welfare; none, how old soever, desiring a Writ of Ease, but all labour untill their labours kill them.

The Queen Bee lives not retired (constantly) in any part, but as occasion serves, is sometimes in one part of the Hive, sometimes in another, but works not▪ nature denying her fit­ting organs.

And because some have observed large orbicular cells on the edges (for the most part) of the combs, they have therefore supposed them to bee their pallaces, but they are sca [...]ce capable of half their grown bodies, and are onely seminaries for gene­ration▪ [...]ot places or pallaces for habitation.

CHAP. IX. Of the Drone.

THe Drone is a great Bee without a sting, the Vulgar opi­nion is, that hee is made of a Honey Bee that hath lost her sting; but no man ever saw that a Bee became a Drone.

Others seeing the fondness of this opinion, have thought J. Stobaeu [...] de po [...]entibus ser. 45. that the Drone is a different species, and that as Bees breed Bees, so Drones breed Drones, which concelt, if the Author had observed, that at the time of their breeding, and many months before, there is not a Drone left alive to breed them, hee would have liked as well as the former.

Aristotle saith, That they onely are bred of the Bees, but the truth is, they are of the same species with the Honey Bee, but of a different sex.

Many reasons are laid down by Mr. Butler to prove the Mr. Butler Feminine Mo­narch. c. 4. Drone to bee the male.

First, because though they bee great Masters of the Honey, yet untill the Bees begin to leave breeding, and have conceived for the next year (which some do in Iuly, most before August is expired) they suffer them, afterwards they begin to beat them away, which if some stalls do not, they dye naturally before October; and from thenceforth all the Winter untill the Bees breed again, there is not a Drone to bee found in rerum natura: When they are quite gone, then do the Bees lay no more seeds that year, but onely hatch and breed up those that are in the cells.

Secondly, because as the rather, and the more the Drones are, the greater and the earlier are the swarms: So where the Drones are few and late, there is small increase. And therefore if you kill the Drones of a Hive before they have done swarm­ing and breeding (as some sondly have done before Midsum­mer, to save their honey) neither will the swarms come forth that were formerly bred, nor the stock thenceforth breed any more. After which time bringing in Bee-bread as much as before, and having no young ones to spend part, they lay it up care­lesly in their cells, where it corrupteth and tuineth to stinking, [Page 36] stopping, which will cause them so much to mistike their Hive, that in Autumn they will yeeld to the robbers. And if by your care and watchfulness they bee then preserved, in February following, when the breeding time begins, finding their wombs barren, and therefore loathing themselves, they yeeld their goods to them that will take it, and after a while by conversing with the strange Bees, like of their company, and go away with them to their D [...]one [...]. But every fair day they will with them return to fetch that they left behinde.

Thirdly, because every living thing doth breed male and female of his kinde, and experience doth teach us, that the Bees do yearly breed as well Drones as honey Bees; and see­ing the honey Bees are females, it followeth necessarily, that the Drones are the males of the same kinde: And therefore the Drone in the learned languages hath his masculine appella­tion, as the honey Bee her feminine.

Fourthly, wee see the like in the likest Insects, the Wasps, Hornets, and Humble-Bees, of which in their proper places.

Fifthly, I adde the Drones are males, and the honey Bees females, because of the smalness of their voyce, which is al­wayes Arist. de hist. Anim. lib. 4. cap. 11. smaller, and sh [...]iller in females than males, except Cows which bellow lowder than Bulls.

When the old Bees have ended their first brood of females, then last of all after the same manner, first in the Drone combe, which is one, and but one in every Hive, and almost the backwardest, made with deeper and wider cells for the nonce, Plin. Nat hist. l. 11. cap. 11. they breed the male Bees, or Drones, as was long since ob­served.

In the latter part of the year they breed some promiscu­ously with the Nymphs, but then they elevate their co­vers.

That not many are bred before Mid-May, not any before Mid-April (except a few by chance which are not suffered to live) as Mr. Butler asserts, is not so; for there are some in all swarms, and some stocks (with us) swarm by Mid-April, therefore must the breeding of many of the Drones bee then finished.

And after a Hive hath swarmed, though before you saw not [Page 37] one stir, yet then shall you take notice of their flying abroad every day about noon. But when the Hives are full, and yet swarm not so early as their fellows, they will then (but not often untill Mid-May) flye forth, and play a while, and then return into the Hive to fill their bellies.

But to put all out of doubt, that the Drones are males, I adde that the Drone in diffection hath two large testicles, greater, proportionably to his body than any other creature.

They are joyned together upward, but hang down towards the tail in two visible parts, of a whitish watry colour towards the ends, their ends or points are of the bigness of a small pins head, milk-white; the testicles are half as long as the nether part of the Drones body.

In the belly is a white entral longer when it is extended then the whole body. They have lungs (if my [...]yes deceive mee not) of a reddish colour, divided as it were in the middle. The outward part of the back and breast is of a grisly substance, under which is a kinde of flesh, all of a reddish colour, where is the heart, and other necessary parts, although (without a mag­nifying glass, by an expert Anatomist) not exactly to bee di­stinguished.

The eye hath a watry substance, and there is a visible brain in the head, of a reddish colour.

In the tail (which I had almost forgot, though often made trial of it) upon a little pressing, a saffron-coloured Ox-head, with stretched out horns, and a crooked snout will discover it Bernard in Gomesiu. [...]iedis, lib. 1. de Sale. self, which one (cited by Aldrovan [...]) pressing a Drone to ex­periment whether it had a sting, reports as a strange, and never before heard of relation (I often saw it before I read him, or any other.) And hee concludes that nature in this portent doth shew the seminal reason of them, and how being lost they may Mr Remnant discourse of Bees, l. 1. c. 2. Arist. de gen [...]r. lib. 4. cap. 4. bee recovered; which how to effect, Virgil and others have at large discoursed. This is supposed to bee the instrument of generation.

The testicles are in the upper part of the belly, and so like­wise the males among birds have the testicles drawn in­wards. L. Verul. Silva Sil. cent. 9. 852.

The difference between male and female, in some creatures is not to bee discerned, otherwise than in the parts of generation, [Page 38] as in Horses and Mares; but some differ in magnitude, and that diversly, for in most the male is the greater; the chief cause is, for that the males have more strength of heat than the fe­males; now heat causeth greatness of growth generally, where there is moisture enough to work upon: But if there bee found in any creature (which is rarely seen) an over great heat in proportion to the moisture in them, the female is the greater, as in Hawk [...]s. Heat also dilateth the pipes and organs which cau­seth the deepness of the voyce.

Aristotle delivers that the Drones are bred by themselves if the Commander lives, but if shee dyes, they are produced in the Bees cells by the Bees, and these so bred, are more hardy and couragious than the other; but the truth is (as I hinted before) all Drones are bred by the Bees, when they are wearied, and almost spent with breeding of females, that by them they may have a new prolifical power whereby they may breed females afresh; but the Drones are first bred in the Drone combe, which is afterwards at least a great part of it fil­led with honey; and then in the latter part of the Summer, they breed some Cephens among the Nymphs.

As Aristotle could not determine about the breeding of the Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 40. Drones, so neither of the making of the Drone-comb, some­times hee layes it down, yet as the judgement of others (sus­spending his own, as in a thing uncertain and dubious) that they made their own combs in the Hive, or did assist at least the Bees in that labour; sometimes that the Bees made the Drone-combs, but yet onely then, when there was great expectation of much honey; whereas in a Hive stored with Bees, there are not many dayes difference between the beginning of their own combs, and the Drone-comb. Nay they begin the Drone comb and half finish it, before they make the Nurseries (for so I rather call them, than with Aristotle, houses or pallaces) for their Queen, of which there bee alwayes some in every hive. And therefore Aristotle was deceived, who saith, They made the Queens Pallaces or Nurseries onely, Cum faetus la [...]gior esset, when they had a numerous issue.

The Bees never destroy the Drone-combes as Aristotle af­firms, although they do the Drones, when they have no more need of them for that year.

[Page 39] Aristotle saith, The Drones are useful, if not too nume­rous, and the Bees because of them more industrious, but wherein they are useful hee mentions not. Nay, hee allows the Drones no service in the hive; but by his leave they are pro­fitable to the well-being and generation of the rest, being the males; and also by their heat in ha [...]ching the young, especi­ally after the stock hath cast a swarm or more, there being few Bees left, and most of them in the day time abroad at their work.

But the Drone works not at all as Mr. Muffet a [...]i [...]ms, who Mr. Muffet Theatrum In­sector. saith, they gather wax, and sometimes build the combs; but had hee seriously viewed them, hee should have seen a disa­bility to gather, nature having denied them fitting fangs and tongue, for they are very short, and not fitting to gather.

Aelian tells a long story, how that the Drones lye hid among the combs in the day, but in the night when the Bees are asleep, rob and purloyn the honey, which when the Bees understand (for most of them sleep being weary with working, and a few onely watch) they first correct them gently, and drag them out of the Hives by the wings. But for all that they will not bee amended (for by nature they are gluttonous, and l [...]zie) as soon therefore as they are gone abroad to work, they follow their work, namely fill themselves with honey; but when the Bees return and finde the spoyl, they deal no more gently with them, but kill them out right.

Once the Drones do not only serve for generation (as hath been shewed) but do also much help the females by reason of Plin. Nat. hist. l. 11. c 11. their great heat in hatching their broods. And for these causes they are alwayes in breeding-time mingled with them through­out the Hive: Although afterwards (when they have been much beaten, and can go no where single, but one or other will bee on their jacks) they gather all together in a cluster for their safety in one side of the Hive; so that it is true at sometime, Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 40. which the Philosopher spake indefinitely, Ten [...]nt alvei locum pe­nitiorem. And yet their hanging together will not serve their [...]um, for the Bees, when they are disposed, will quickly make them part, and depart, when there is no use of them, there will Mr. Butler. bee no room for them.

The Bees breeding, or laying of seeds, beginning to cease in [Page 40] some sooner, in some later; and these Amazonian Dames ha­ving conceived for the next year, begin to wax weary of their mates, and to like their room better than their company. It seems incredible to some, that the honey Bees should re­ceive a prolifical vertue from the Drones, which they should exercise eight months after, and yet they consider not, that if a Hen be trodden a day or two, some affirm the eggs will be pro­lifical Hier. Fabriciu [...] abaqua pen­dente de [...]or­matione o [...]i & pull [...]. the year following. And Dr. Harvey attests the same; but yet upon the experience onely of twenty dayes, it is con­fessed, that it is sufficient for that latter; and Aristotle saith, That generous Hens will lay sixty eggs, before they sit, others more; so that they will bee sometimes prolifical two or three months, but afterwards they must bee trodden again, or the eggs will bee addle. But to leave this untill wee treat of Wasps, when wee shall have a more fit occasion to handle it.

The Bees having conceived, begin to neglect, nay to molest their Mates: At first not quite forgetting their old familiarity, they gently g [...]ve them Tom Drums entertainment; they that will not take that for a warning, but presume to force in again among them, are more shrewdly handled. You may sometimes see a handful or two before a hive, which they had killed within, but the greatest part flyeth away, and dyeth a­broad.

They are but short lived creatures did they live their utmost date; for eating much, and being idle, onely in the heat of the day, with a great humming sound, they flye forth, and fetching a short compass or two, having emptied themselves, and whe [...]ted their stomachs, they return to feed, and that alwayes of the pu­rest honey, whereby they may become so foggy, that oft▪times before the Bees meddle with them, you may see hundreds in a day crawl rather than flye out of the Hive, but not able to re­cover the stool again miscarry abroad.

And whereas poor stocks (I mean such as have few Bees, though otherwise well provided) despairing of their own con­tinuance, let the Drones alone, not disturbing, much less killing of them, yet not one will out-live October.

Some may ask, Is not the male more worthy than the fe­male? Bedae axiom. How is it then, that the Drones are but vassals to the honey Bees? which as they excell the Drones in vertue and [Page 41] goodness, so in power and authority, ruling, and over-ruling them at their pleasures. Albeit generally among all creatures, the males as most worthy, do master the females.

And this Sesostr [...]tus King of Egypt, who conquered a great Coelli Calcag. Comment [...]e verborum & rerum signifi­cat. part of the world did thus express according to H [...]rod [...]tus. If hee overcame any people without contention, or battel, hee made them bear the badge of a woman engraven in their wea­pons, but if they did fight it out couragiously, the cognizance of a man. Yet in these, and a few others, the females have the preheminence: And by the Grammarians leave, the Feminine gender is here more worthy than the Masculine. So in all the kindes of Hawks, the female doth command the male, as being the stronger, and the better armed. And the female of the Arist. de hist. l. 9 c. 1. Bear, and the P [...]nthar are more bold and couragious, stronger, and of greater spirits.

The female Ounce likewise, though less than the male, yet is Jo. Caii hist. rarior Animal. Weeker. de secret. l. 8. more cruel.

Ridiculous is the conceit of Democritus to catch the Drones. Wet, saith hee, the covers of the Hive with water, and in the morning you shall finde the Drones busie sucking thereof, for feeding of the best honey, they are alwayes thirsty; Nay be­cause they feed of the best honey, and not Sandaracha which is hotter, they are not thirsty; for the Bees all Winter long, while they live, thereof drink not at all.

Timely ridding of the Drones by the Bees, is a good signe that they are like to bee forward the next year; because the stocks that have cast often, do beat long with their Drones, al­though there bee twice so many as bee needful for the Bees, that are left, therefore (to save the honey which these would devour) it is not amiss to prevent them; and about a fortnight after their last swarm to diminish their numbers, which you may do safely in the heat of the day, killing them with your fingers: And the bruising of them with your fingers before the Hives mouth, will sometimes cause the females to take the worke out of your hand, and fall upon them them­selves.

Some use Drone-pots made of Oziers, the twigs being set so close, that the Drones, although they go forth, yet cannot easily return in again. But the catching this way doth much [Page 42] trouble; the Bees may sometimes keep out the Queen. And therefore I like not of them.

CHAP. X. Of the Generation of Bees.

IT hath been an ancient tradition, that Bees have a twofold production, as many other creatures, by generation and pu­tresaction. About this latter way, Virgil, Cardan. Aldrovandus, and many others have been copious; but whether there bee any solidity in this particular, I am somewhat dubious, because it was never authentically proved to bee performed by any. But they tell us that the best sort is procreated of a corrupted Lion; And therefore say it is no wonder, that being so small crea­tures they fear not any, [...]ay prevail over the greatest, with a Lion like courage assaulting them.

A second sort is bred of a Bull, and therefore they are called the daughters of Bulls, because they are bred of their car­kasses. Suidae Histo­r ca.

A third sort of a Cow.

A fourth sort of a Calf, but tell us not wherein these kindes differ, for they forgot waking what they dreamed of sleep­ing.

Would I spend words to no purpose, I might easily for the general, evince the invalidity of this opinion, for in Brasile, Peru, and most of the new world where are many sorts of Bees, and some in colour and magnitude not differing from ours, there were no such creatures, whereof (if they were lost) they might bee again recovered, before they were transported by the Spaniards.

But more absurd is that opinion of others, that of the ashes of Bees bedewed with sweet wine, and exposed to the Sun in Muffer Thea­trum Insector a warm place, there will bee a present resurrection of the for­mer burnt Bees.

Perplexed and various are the opinions of the Learned, con­cerning Dr. Harvey de genera [...] Animal. ex­ercitat. 13. the generation of Bees.

The first workings of nature are as dark as midnight, and [Page 43] with their subtlety do not less be-fool, and deceive the strongest understanding than the bodily eye.

Some not comprehending their conception and generation, have fondly delivered that they carried the spermatical matter of their original into their hives, gathered out of flowers, and after hatch them, either from the white honey suckle, or the reed (or Arist. de hist; l. 5▪ c. 19. Calamus) or from the Olive because, in yeers abounding with Olives, there are plenty of swarms. Not considering that the first brood is hatched before any of these flowers bl [...]ssome, and that some of these flowers are not at all in the Northern Regions where is the greatest plenty of Bees.

And for the Olive, Pliny denies that they taste of it, and Plin. Nat. hist. lib. 21. c. 12. idem. lib. 11. cap. [...]. Card. de subtil. l. 11. Scalig de sub­til, [...] 51 exer. therefore saith, it is better away; and yet hee was sometime of a contrary opinion.

Cardan denies that they lay eggs, but are bred of honey. This Scaliger well opposeth, because, saith hee, There can bee no generation of honey, for then it should bee the seed of the Bee; but this is false, neither of honey corrupted, for it cor­rupts not, but preserves from putrefaction.

Scaliger questioning whether Bees did copulate or not, saith that of the dew in leaves of plants, worms are produced, and therefore dew opportunely gathered, and fo [...]erted with a ge­nital heat of the Bee may be animated into a worm. But the first, and chiefest breeding of Bees is in end of February, when they scarce stir forth at all, or not untill the dew be ex­haled. And howsoever untill May, dews are known to have little efficacy, or excellency, besides you may visibly see the eggs when they are first injected into the cells, they are eggs, and not a dew.

Scaliger, though hee propounded the former opinion, yet held not to it; for whereas Aristotle delivers it as an opinion of some that the Bees bred by copulation, and that the Drones were males, and the honey Bees females; this saith hee is false Scalig Com­ment in Arist. de hist. Anim. l. 5 c. 19. (although without reason or experience) for the Bees indeed are females▪ but the Kings are the males: And Muffet also ac­knowledgeth no males but the Kings.

I beleeve, saith Muffet, they propagate by copulation, and the greater are males (namely in his sense the Queens) and the Muffet in Theatr. Insect. l. 1. c. 3. less females, but whether they tread as Cocks hee professeth that he knew not.

[Page 44] Toxites supposeth that Bees copulate, and that the Bees are Michael To­xites in Ono­m [...]stico super Theophrast. the Males, and the Kings Females: And that the Kings do at certain seasons cast forth worms in multitudes as flies, their flye­blotes, and that the Drones sit upon them, and hatch them after the manner of Serpents.

Another saith, the matter in which they blow or breed, is Mr Remnant hist. of Bees. something that they gather of the flowers or plants, and bring home, and put into the holes, or cells of the combes, which they mix finely with a little water, and then blow in it a thing less then, or as little as a flye-blote. But this cannot bee, for wee finde nothing in the cells wherein the seed is injected, but the seed it self. And again, the Bees seed is much bigger than a flye-blote.

And as to others, so to Aristotle, the generation of Bees Arist de gene. lib. 3 cap 10. seemed very ambiguous and doubtful; for whereas among fi [...]es some generate without copulation, he sometimes sup­posed the same of Bees, and argues thus: They must either fetch their young else-where, as some in his age opinionated, which young must be either bred of themselves, or be pro­duced by some other living creature, or they must generate them, or partly fetch them, and partly generate them: For so some supposed that they fetched onely the Drones, or else they must generate them by copulation, or without copulation. Thus Bees by copulation among themselves to breed Bees, Drones to breed Drones, and the Queens to breed Queens. Of all the rest from one kinde, either from the Queens, the Drones, or the Bees; for some, he confesseth in his time, held that the Drones were males, and the Bees females: Others held a contrary opinion, that the Bees were males, and the Drones were females.

But against all these tenets, Aristotles reasons as impossibi­lities. If, saith he, they breed not, but fetch their young else­where, of necessity it must bee, that there be Bees without any labour of Bees, namely in that place from whence they fetch their seed; for why do they come to perfection, being carried away, and not in their own proper places.

And again he saith, It agrees not with reason that the Bees are females, and the Drones males, because nature never gives females weapons to defend themselves withall.

[Page 45]Now the Drones are weaponless being without stings. And on the contrary, it is not reasonable to imagine that the Bees are males, and the Drones females; for no males are diligent and laborious in educating of their young Cock-pidgeons, and most males among birds, sits part of the day, as well as the female, and as diligently [...]eed their young. Some say the Pa [...]tridge makes two nests, and the Hen sits upon one, and the Dr. Har. exer­citat [...], 8. Cock upon another, but they are mistaken. The males also of beasts of rapine seek out, and provide for their young.

And that some Bees should be males, some females, is alto­gether likewise improbable, for in all creatures the male differs from the female, externally many fowls differ not, as Crows, Rooks, and many small birds.

And that by generation they should procreate, is as unlikely, because no man ever saw it.

At last he determines that the Bees are females, but as plants have both sexes, because the sex is not to be distinguished. But if the Drones are bred without copulation, then also keeping the same order, the Bees, and their Commanders, are bred without copulation.

He concludes after a long uncertain discussion of this doubt, That the Kings or Queens Bees breed themselves, and the Bees. It is necessary also that the Commanders be procreated by some, but neither of the Bees, nor of the Drones, therefore of themselves.

Now the Commanders cels being last made, and but few in number, they breed therefore their own kinde (few according to the cels) and also the Bees. And the Bees breed the Drones, and they breed nothing; and so the Generation determines in the third number, Non tam [...]n satis adhu [...] explorata quae eve [...]iant babemus; so that in all this we have it confest; there is much to little purpose: The Drones, whatsoever some say to the con­trary, is the Mak-Bee, and although he be not seen to engen­der with the Hony-Bee, either abroad as other Insects do, or in the Hive, which (whatsoever some have projected) is impos­sible, yet without doubt is hee the Male-Bee, by whose natural heat, and masculine vertue, the Hony-Bee which breeds, both Hony-Bees and Drones conceiveth; that they are Males, we have sufficiently proved in the former Chapter.

[Page 46]In the next place the main Query i [...], how the Bees receive a prolifical power from them.

Albertus denies by copulation; but granting the Drones to Albertus Mag­nus. lib. 16. be Males (which is undeniable) and the Hony-Bees Females.

Aristotle concludes for it, he saith, co [...]nt ea in quibus m [...]n it Arist. de Hist. animal. lib. 5. c. 2 femina est. Those creatures conceive by copulation where there be Males and Females. And again; they that are bred of the same fort, or kinde, if there be among them Male and Female, e coitu generantur, are bred by copulation: And this is asserted Idem de Hist animal. lib. 5. c. 1. Geor. Piscato­ [...]us. by others.

That they engender not together, Aristotles Argument is, because there be but few young in their cels; but other Insects that are procreated by copulation ingender long, and hatch quickly: This Reason is frivolous, nay false, for the Bees are Arist. de Gene­rat. lib. 3. c. 10 numerous in their young (that I say not almost innumerable) and they hatch quickly, sooner than the Wasp. And yet that Wasps are bred by Generation (being cognatorum generatio) and not Bees: He attributes it to a defect of Natures bounty towards them, because nihil ut apum, habe [...]t genus divini­tatis.

So that according to the Philosophers axiome, and the weakness of his reason to the contrary, they do engender together; but because this is not visible, and therefore perhaps may be de­nyed by some cavilling Sceptick. I will further shew that the Hony-Bee may have a Masculine vertue from the Drone, o­therwise than by copulation. For in the Eele, and the Purple, (a Shel fish whereof Purple comes) is no Sex visible, yet by their slaver, not by copulation do they produce their young, and perpetuate their kinde.

And many other sorts of fishes do not by copulation become fruitful, and generate their kinde; but when they have brought forth, or laid their Eggs, the Male bedews, or sprinkles them Arist. de Hist. animal. l. 6. c 1 [...] Dr. Harvey de generat ani­mal. exercitat. 40 with a seminal mo [...]stuie, whereby they are not addle but prolifical.

I have seen, saith Dr. Harvey, the Male-Fishes to follow­the Females in shoals in breeding time, that they might sprinkle their new laid Eggs with their Milt, or seed. Thus the Sepia or Cut [...]le-fish.

There is a Fish called Glanis, in the River Glanis in Hetru­ria: [Page 47] The Female whereof by rubbing her belly on the Males Arist. de Hist. lib. 6. c. 13 belly is fruitful; and so the Scate and all Fishes with a full tail with the rubbing of their bellies together engender: And so in a word do all fishes, besides broad griftly fishes.

All Fishes that bring forth Eggs, their copulation is scarcely visible, but without a Male they conceive not, nor any other Ambrose hex­am l. 5. c. 20. Creature where there are Males. Vultures faith Ambrose con­ceive without a Male, and generate without conjunction; but Aldrovandus on good grounds denies this; and also Albertus, U [...]ys Aldro. O [...]n [...]holog. l. 3 who saith, they are often seen to tread.

When the Bees have conceived, they deliver their seed, not by their tail, but by their mouth, faetum edu [...] ore editum ut Arist. de Hist. animal. l. 5. c. 19 a [...]unt quidem; and this was the cause that some thought that they fetcht it elsewhere from some flowers: Aristotle therefore speaking of it, speaks doubtfully [...], for it is a very ob­scure thing.

And that they blow their seed, our Vulgar expression inti­mates, for their young is called spat, that which the Bees spit forth, or deliver by their mouthes.

If wee affirm the seed of the Bee to be blown, it cannot so properly be called an Egge, Aristotle saith Aquapendens was ve­ry Aquapen. de formatione o­vi & P [...]lli. p. [...]9 Arist. de Hist. lib. 5. c. 29▪ 30 Dr. Har. de generat. ani­mal. exercitat. 61 careful not to call the seed of Insects Eggs, but Worms, yet Dr. Harvey cites him, as if he sometimes or promiscuously, cal­led the Worms, Eggs; It is true, hee called the seed of a kinde of Grashopper Eggs, but it was before they were quickned but when they are hatcht, hee calls them no longer Eggs, but worms: Although indeed they may seem when they have done feeding, and are inclosed in their cases to be amalogous eggs, but not while they feed; and therefore Aristotle saith, Arist. de gener▪ l. b. 3. cap. 9. Every kinde of worm when it hath attained his full end, and perfect magnitude, is as it were an egge, for the shell hardens, and for a time it stirs not, which, saith he, is apparent in the worms of Bees, Wasps, and Caterpillars.

But the Philosopher enumerated too fast: Of Caterpillars it is true, and of all others that have proper, or natural cases, but such as have adventitious, as Bees, and Waspes, never harden.

An egg properly is that, out of a part whereof a living crea­ture is produced, and the residue is meat for it, improperly [Page 48] that is an egg out of the whole whereof, a living creature is Aqua pend. bred, as the eggs of Spiders, Ants, Flies.

Insects first breed a worm (although it be not yet a worm Arist. de gen. lib. 2. c 1. untill it be hatched, but indeed rather an egg) and this after a space of time is a kind of egg, for the Aurelia hath the faculty of an egg, and a living creature is bred of it, receiving in the third nutrition, the end of generation.

That the Bees blow as a Flye or Wasp, is affirmed by some. Mr. Butler, Mr. Levit, Mr. Remnant. And a [...] the blotes of the flyes are nourished by the flesh wherein they are blown, and by the earth wherein they are bred, so the spat or brood of the Bees, saith Mr. Levit, are nourished by honey and water; but of this in his place.

The Bees seed is white, about the bigness of a Butterflies, not round, but oblong, which they lay close under the honey­combes. In the middle of the bottome of the void cells Mr. Butler round like a ring, saith Mr. Butler, but although he was a great observer, yet for want of observing himself, and following, as he supposed Aristotle, he was mistaken in Theod. Gazas trans­lation, T. Gaza who renders the word, [...] by obliquus, which Scaliger well reads ad latus.

The Bees seed first sticks to the side of the cell, saith Aristotle, ad latus jacet, alwayes (as I remember) at an angle, Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 5. c. 19. some distance from the bottome, and so doth the Wasp lay her seed, and not close to the bottome; thus it sticks with one end, and with the other end bends slope-wise towards the middle of the cell.

And after it is hatched, it lyes a while cross, or side-wayes, with the mouth somewhat erected, and grows so long as the matter of augmentation continues, which is not long, and then it falls to the bottome, and raiseth it self up that it may be fed. It will raise it self up, and sink as it were within it self by con­traction when it pleaseth; for though it have not feet, yet the skin is somewhat scabrous whereby it rouls, or moves it self higher, or lower within the cell.

The Bees in their breeding discend by degrees towards the nether part of the combs, filling one cell after another: But when their chief breeding is past, they do not precisely ob­serve this order, but lay up their food promiscuously among the young Bees, where they find the cells empty.

[Page 49]First, The seed sticks to an angle above the bottome, when it is hatched, it falls after a little space to the bottome, but can­not come forth to take food, which yet Aristotle seems to grant to be necessary: First, he saith, It is nourished, but tell [...] not how: Secondly, he saith, over against the cells, where the young are bred, the hony is laid up, he tells us not where­fore.

But Scaliger saith, That the young may eat thereof, ut Ac­cumbe [...]i Scalig. Com­ment. in Arist. de hid. l. 5. c. 19 c [...]us opp [...]natur, supposing, as he professeth, a few words before that, the worms and hony were both together in one cell, for he rationally concluded, they could not live and grow without food, they were not locomotive, and therefore could not go forth of their cells for it. How therefore they should receive it, was the great mystery. He supposeth the worms to stick fast on one side of the cell, and the hony on the other, that with bowing of their bodies, they might [...]eedthem­selves. The worm, saith he, sticks so fast to the side▪ as if she were glewed or rivited there, but by no means at the bottome, lest she should be drowned with the hony. And this supposition of the worm and the hony being together in the same cell, made him conceive the worm smaller than the Bee; for saith he of the seed is generated a worm, which worm is alwayes less than the Bee; but this is not so, for the grown worm is every way as great, and as large as the Bee.

But neither of the former opinions are true ordinarily, for the Bees are bred usually in the combs before, or in the lower part of the other combs, the hony (if there be any) being repo­sited in the backward combs, and the upper parts of the other. It is true indeed, that the Bee-bread is oft laid up in the void cells, among the breeding cells; not that the young may feed themselves, but that therewith being ready, and near at hand they may be [...]ed by the Bees.

The seed is never visible in Bee or Wasp, that I could dis­cern upon dissections of many in one part or other.

Cardan affirms that they cannot have eggs within them, and Cardan. de subtil. l. 11. be exercised in their continual labours, because neither Silk­worm, nor Grashopper as long as they flye, have none; sup­pose the assertion true, that they have not eggs within them (but blow their seed which I beleeve) yet is this instance and [Page 50] reason very weak. Scaliger answering him, justly denies what he saith, but contradicts not his instance, onely saying, That they that are well versed in natures secrets can determine this; whereas it is well known, that the Silk-worms when they have wound up themselves into their bottomes after twelve or four­teen dayes eat themselves out a winged creature, but have little lust to flye presently for fulfilling their lust, and engendring to­gether: Whereby the male having spent himself▪ falls down, and dies, and the female also as soon as she hath laid her eggs, which is not long after.

As for the Grashoppers, they will flye nimbly with eighty, nay one hundred eggs in them as big as the eggs of Pismires, and the claw-tailed Humble-Bee (of which afterwards) works as diligently, and flyes as deliverily when she is great with young, as when she is barren.

Fabricius concurs with Cardan, and therefore renders this as Fabric ab Aqua p [...]nd▪ exer. a reason why some creatures lay eggs, and bring not forth li­ving creatures, because if they were detained in their bodies untill they were hatched, with their weight they would hinder their flying: It is true, if many were animated within them at once, it might be so, otherwise not, as is manifest by the former example.

And that it is possible for Bees to flye with eggs, Scaliger Scaliger de▪ [...]u [...]til. exer. [...] 91. makes good by these following instances: Hee took a Glow­worm engendering with a female, and put them all night into a box with a hole in it. The male continued at his work next day, and at noon giving over, dyes; from that hour untill evening the female laid many eggs which were hatched in twenty hours, and presently went their way; so that some Insects speedily hatch, and perfect their eggs.

Therefore he concludes Bees may copulate in a few hours, and presently lay their eggs.

Likewise he relates, that when he was a stripling, that he took of the greater sort of flies, one marked with white strakes, and holding it some while in the hollow of his hand, being de­lighted with the shape, it brought forth many white worms notable for their motion. And therefore as shee carried worms▪ so may Bees eggs when they flye.

But the Flesh-flye, Butter-flye, and many other Insects [Page 51] without all controversie flye about with their eggs in them. Now Scaliger at last discovered his little experience in the na­ture of Bees, when thinking to answer more fully; hee mars all: For whereas Cardan saith truly, they are in continual labour, hee denies it, and affirms, that the Bees having gotten honey by labour, they take the benefit of it without any more working: Whereas it is certain, that they never give over working (the season being fitting)▪ as long as there is any thing to gather, and they give over breeding, before they give over working.

The seed being hatched lives, and excerns excrements▪ All Insects first make a worm, except a certain sort of Butter-flye, which produceth a certain hard thing, like wilde-saffron seed, but fluid within.

Now the generation of Insects in these worms, is not caused in some part onely, as that some part of the egg, turns to the formation▪ the rest to the nourishment, but the whole alters untill it attain the just and due proportion.

Creatures which produce a worm first; bring forth a small Arist. de gene­rat. l. 3. c. 4. one, which is increased by it self, without any addition, as meal by leaven is made of a little mass a greater.

And again, some creatures have this property in themselves, that Idem de gene­rat. l. 3. c 9. they have an increase for themselves, as the worms of Bees, others gather it abroad, as the worms of Butterflies, called Caterpillars.

This is, if at all, but partly true; for after they are hatched, there is a small augmentation from the seminal vertue; but as soon as they are capable of food, they must have it, or else after three or four dayes they will dye, as I have often experimented▪ whereas when they have done feeding▪ and are shut up with their waxen covers, they will (though out of the Hive) live, and come to perfection, but will bee perhaps longer in their Metamorphosis, than if they were continued in it. I have had some three weeks before they have eaten themselves out.

Creatures shaped without the females womb have in the egge, as well matter of nourishment as matter of generation of the body, because after the egg is laid, and severed from the body (of the Hen, or other creature) it hath no more nourish­ment from the Hen, but onely a quickfling hear when shee sits, but as soon as the chicken i [...] disclosed▪ there is not much [Page 52] longer any matter of nourishment, but it must receive it else­where.

Aristotle acknowledgeth that they void excrements, and can there bee excrements without a supply of food, or a mutipli­cation of a little seed above a hundred fold by the feminal vertue, or ambient aire, especially where the excrement are four times so much as the seed, or egge was at the beginning; yet Aldro­vandus concurs with Aristotle, saying, That the worms of Bees and Wasps have within them that which is the matter of their augmentation; the contrary whereof is evident, for if the Hives be not provided before hand, or supplied daily with food in stormy▪ and unseasonable weather, the young brood will dye in the cells, and you may see the old ones carry them out in abundance upon the first change of the weather, and then breed again.

Often towards the end of Summer, if hony-gathering bee not plentiful, they will draw out the young unfledge Cephens, and sometimes (though rarely) the Nymphs, lest for want of sufficient meat they should all starve together.

Fishes produced of eggs (as almost all are) either within the females, or without them, at first receive no meat, sed [...]rescunt hausto [...]vi humore, but afterwards are nourished when they grow with the river water.

In the generation of Animals which are procreated by an af­ter Dr. Har. de gen. animal. exer. 44. addition of parts (as the chicken in the egge) there is not to bee sought another matter, out of which that which is to bee produced, is to receive the shape of a body, and another out of which it is made, nourished, and increased. But here in the eggs of Insects, it is otherwise, because they are not at first per­fect, and therefore must have an increase, and augmentation else­where, untill they attain their just magnitude.

The eggs or worms of Insects have from without them that Harvey de gen. exer. 62. whereby they increase. But how they have it, is a riddle. Seeds of herbs▪ as Beans, &c. attract by their husks, or shells the moisture of the ground, which they suck in like spunges, and Idem exerci­tat. 9. are therewith nourished as well as if they received the same by veines. But thus the worms in the combs cannot bee sed, the meat being remote from them.

The Bees vomit forth the honey which they have gathered Idem exer. 6. [Page 53] and digested in their bellies, and lay it up in their Hives, and af­ter the same sort the Hornets, and the Wasps nourish their young. The assertion is not true, or very ambiguous and im­perfect. If hee understands that the Hornets and Wasps empty into their cells what they collect, and gather, then is it not true, for they lay up nothing that ever I could finde. If it bee under­stood that they feed their young with what they gather, as also the Bees, with what they gather, and also with that which they have formerly injected into their combs, when the wea­ther will not permit them to gather abroad, than it is a truth, but darkly, and imperfectly delivered.

So then wee see after that they are disclosed, they must have meat; out of their cells they cannot come, nor creep, they are not locomotive, like Caterpillers.

Now the main Query is, how they should have it? And the ignorance of this caused Aristotle, and others to deny, that they received any, so that from the history of their being a worm, to their metamorphosis into a Bee, wee hear of nothing.

Concerning this, I was long without satisfaction, and finding that it was impossible to observe the particulars among the Bees, because of their numbers and closeness, I sought to finde it out by observation in other Insects of somewhat differing, yet of a like nature, in many particulars. I considered that yearly in my empty Hives there Hornets, I took notice therefore daily of the progress and order of their work, and generation, which I found to bee thus:

The Hornets neast is begun by one mother, or breeding­hornet at the first, which in the top of an empty hive wrought a very short little drossie pendant peg or pin, about the bigness of the tag of a point of the outer dry parings of pales, or other old timber with a mixture of a gummy liquor that flows from oaks principally (of which matter are all her combs fra­med) this short peg shee made the foundation and center of a Canopy, or Tent like to a half globe, in the center of which with [...]o, she worketh six or seven hexangle cells, all concurring and meeting together in the center, but all ju [...]ting out on each side downward, and having wrought them half their depth to an angle of every cell somewhat above the hono [...]e, shee in­jecteth into each a several seed, and then on the out-side of those [Page 54] cells begins six, or seven more, but all co [...]entring in the same point with the former; and when they are wrought half their depth, shee injecteth into each a particular seed; but before this is done and finished, shee quickens and hatcheth the for­mer, encompassing with her body, or lying round like a ring about the pin that is the center of the globous depending Tent, or Canopy, but in the inside of it, that her heat may equally transmit it self to each cell, and enliven every seed.

Within a few dayes thus receive they life, and begin to stir, at first sticking at the taile end, and then falling to the bottome, do they raise themselves upward. Now the mother sometimes sits upon, or rather about them, and the latter brood also to hatch and comfort them, and sometimes goes abroad and fetch­eth food for them, and giveth it them as a bird her young, with her mouth going from one to another: And as they grow shee worketh the cells deeper, until they attain their perfect growth, which will bee above three weeks; and then the first brood be­gin to bee torpid and dull, and receive no more food, which when they refuse, shee worketh a cover over them, whiter than the combs, and they so continue shut up about three weeks, and being transchanged from a worm to a Horner, eat of the cover, and come forth, and work, and breed their kinde, but then being many, in broad combs.

And as they are fed, so also I am confident are the Bees, although they come to their perfection in a shorter space: For they also after they have fed about eighteen dayes, and attained their growth, are shut up by the Bees, with awaxen cover, and con­tinue so about the like space wherein they are metamorphosed, and eating the cover before them, lift up the rest with their head, and come forth winged creatures.

Of this metamorphosis of Insects, Aristotle thus; Every Arist. de gen. Animal. l. 3. c. 9 imperfect conception produceth first a worm, which is after­wards perfected by a change and metamorphosis, and becomes a living creature.

In the generation of Animals formed and transfigured of a Dr. Harvey de generat. Anim. exercitat. 44. 56. matter prepared and provided before-hand, and all the parts begin to appear, and are distinguished together by a meta­morphosis, and a perfect creature is brought forth: But some, one part or member being made before another of the [Page 55] same matter, afterwards are together nourished, augmented, and formed.

The frame of those begins from some one part as the ori­ginal, and by the help thereof, the other members are added and joyned together; and these wee say are done by a Epige­nesis, or after addition of parts, namely, by degrees, part after part, and in respect of the other, properly i [...] called genera­tion.

After the first sort is the generation of Insects, where the worm by a metamorphosis is bred of an egge, of the beginnings are procreated of a corrupting matter (the moist drying, or the dry moistening) of which as▪ of a Caterpillar grown to a per­fect magnitude, by a metamorphosis a Butterflye appears in the just magnitude. Give mee leave to vary from so learned an Author, and diligent observer.

It is a truth that there is no metamorphised creature, and addition of a new matter or magnitude, yet in many there is a diminution for those that have not adventitious cases, or co­vers, as Bees, Hornets, and Wasps, but natural hardened shells or covers, as Caterpillars, &c. have so much (as the shells or covers) subtracted from the being and substance of the future Butterflyes.

And this also holds not that all the parts begin to appear, and are distinguished together for the change and metamorphosis of Insects is not altogether, but by degrees, part after part is changed, and altered, as wee will further make appear in the particulars.

The alteration of Insects in some is made of the whole, as Bees, they having no membranous skins or shells about them, but the cells of the combs, and not of any parts of it: But every such kinde of worm, when it hath accomplished his magnitude and greatness, is made as it were an egg, for the skin hardens, and all that time it is immovable from its place, yet moves in its skin, cell, or shell, as is visibly evident, for touch the out-side and they will contract, and s [...].

Now the cause hereof is, because nature hastens▪ and before it bee a perfect egg; brings forth so▪ that the worm by degrees, grows to the bigness of a soft egg, and after in season▪ eats through the cover or shell (for they are not reposited in cells [Page 56] as Bees) and comes forth as a chicken out of an egg being per­fected Arist de gen. lib. 3. cap 9. in the third generation. Their metamorphosis is their perfection, and yet some groundlesly have delivered the con­trary. Mizaldus me­morabil, cen. 1. 60. Wonderful, saith one, are the metamorphoses of some creatures, for Caterpillars getting wings degenerate into a But­terflye.

The worm being now dead, presently the alteration begins Mr. B [...]er Feminine Mon. c. 4. from a worm to a Bee which is twofold in shape, and in co­lour. The first alteration in shape is the division in the middle▪ then the other division between the head and shoulders, Thus Mr. Butler. But it is otherwise, for the transmutation as in a Wasp, begins to be first visible in the superiour part, and the eyes are first discerned, and then the incision between the head and the shoulders, which yet as it grows more perfect, becomes smaller, the middle incision or division is scarcely visible, when the eyes may bee seen, then the legs, and the horns begin to bee framed, and the wings are last finished.

When they are perfect they thrust up the covers over their heads, which hang at their backs till they come forth, their fangs and tongue hang down on their breast, but when they are come forth, they then contract them (untill they have occasion of their use) and draw them up close bending under their throats, that they are scarcely visible, but when they eat or work; their colour is at the first ash colour, and so are their wings, but in a little space they convert to a dark brown untill they grow old, when they become gray.

And thus it is in many other creatures. Fishes procreated of Arist. de hist. l. 6. c. [...]. eggs, have their eyes apparently great, and oblong, contrary to those creatures which are bred of worms, where the head and eyes are last. But hee was deceived, for in the metamorphosis of flying Insects, the alteration begins at the head, and is first visible in the eyes.

As in dry weather Bees gather most honey, suppose it with moderation, for immoderate drought (as in the year 1652.) withers away the flowers; so moist weather produceth store of Bees, suppose it still with moderation, for otherwise (as in the year 1648.) the perpetual raines washed away all the substance of the flowers, that not onely the swarms, but old stocks gene­rally dyed. I lost above half a hundred, 1648▪ for my share.

[Page 57]Now the reason why moist weather produceth store of Bees, is because the Bees do spa [...] and breed the faster, and preserve and nourish their brood the better by the moisture that falleth in those times, which in dry weather they cannot so well get, or rather approve not so well of, for after a warm rain, you may see them drinking on every herb, you can hardly set your foot on the ground or grass near the Hives, but you must tread on them, and that when their water is just by.

Too much fair weather is destructive to the increase of Bees, for going forth every day to gather, they are there with wearied, and neglect breeding, and so though they leave fat stalls, yet in a short time few Hives, and therefore Columella adviseth to Colum. lib. 9. stop them in, every third day, that they may attend to breeding.

The Bees breed best, saith Aristotle, when they gather Aristor. de hist. Animal. l. 5. c. 19. most honey, but herein hee was deceived, for they gather most honey, according to his own position when the honey dews fall, which saith hee, is not ante vergiliarum ortum. But wee have often swarms, a first, and a second also out of the same Hive before that time: And generally all good Hives are well furnished with young before that time of the year. In­deed hony is not the ordinary food for the Nymphs, but Bee­bread, which from Mid-March, and in some temperate Springs from Mid-February, they plentifully gather.

CHAP. XI. Of the Hives, and ordering them.

NOw having at last, though not without trouble and travel delivered our Bees, and brought them into the world, it is high time to provide them a house, and a sitting station, which when I have done, with as much brevity as may bee: I will en­tertain the Reader for his pains, and patience with a collation of sweet meats.

They have Hives of several shapes and matter, in several, and divers Countries, some of Ozier, some of Barks, some of Petrus Cres­c [...]. lib. 9. c. 105. Trees hollowed (and this sort the American [...] about Mexico use) some of square boards, three foot high, and a foot broad; [Page 58] so in scarcity of Hives, I have known some use Butter-firking [...] ▪ Some of earth, which they daub with Cow-dung within, and without, because the smoothness is offensive, and the heat and cold also otherwise would bee too extream.

Pliny saith, The best Hives are made of barks of trees; a Plin. hist. [...]. [...]. c. 14. second son of Rods, and a third sort of Wickers.

Each Country almost hath his several fashion, as well for the matter whereof they are made, as also for the manner and form of their making. In our Country, the Hives principally in use, are either made of wickers, or of straw.

The wicker Hives, if they bee not often repaired, will bee at a fault, and lye open unto Wasps, Robbers, Mise; any of these if shee findes but a crack, or crany, will dig her way in. And the Mouse, unless the twigs bee close wrought, although shee finde none.

The straw Hives when they are old and loaded, do usually sinke on the one side (especially if they take wet) and so break the combs, and let out the hony. Yet I have divers which have been continually used above twenty years together, and never lost spoonful of honey out of them. Hives made of the fashion of a Bell, which they use in Northfolke, are not so subject to sinking, but being generally large, they are not fit for single castlings; and besides they are colder than the globous Hives.

All things considered, the straw Hives are the best; and the Bees do best defend themselves from cold when they hang round together in manner of a Sphear or Globe, and therefore the nearer the Hives come to the fashion thereof, the warmer and safer they bee; but of necessity the bottome must bee broad, for the upright and sure standing of the Hive, and for the better taking out of the combs▪ and the top must rise three or four inches higher than the just form of a globe, whether they bee covered with hackles or not, because they delight to hang in a cone, and work from a point; but chiefly to prevent sinking when they are full of honey, or young Bees, to which the broad crowned Hives are generally subject.

So then that Hive hath the best shape that is likest to an egg, with one end cut off, as wee usually order it when wee eat it. It may consist of twelve strawn wreaths or rowls, [Page 59] or more, according to the bigness of the Hive.

Let the three first rowls bee of one magnitude, and com­pass, and about a foot or somewhat more in the Diameter, the four next above them more large, bellying out a little each be­yond his fellow that the combes may bee more firmly fastened: Let the other five by little and little bee narrowed to the center at the top that it may bee pyramidal.

And after this proportion, if the Hive consists of more wreaths or rowls, for this is the shape of a small Hive. I have some consisting of seventeen or eighteen wreaths.

Hives are to bee made of any size between a bushel and half a bushel, saith Mr. Butler. I have many Hives containing five pecks which swarm yearly, and last (by succession) longer than those that are hived in small Hives: And although a half bushel Hive will contain a competent stock, yet the swarms for the most part are small, and the castlings of themselves worth nothing; and the Bees that are ordinarily left when they have cast twice are so few, that they quickly miscarry.

However let your Hives bee rather too little, than too great, for such are hurtful to the increase and prosperity of Bees. If the Hives bee too great, the Bees will bee more lazy, working un­comfortably, because they despair ever to finish and furnish their house; but yet if there bee a competent number of Bees, they will work industriously (though the vacuity bee large) and compleat as much with combes as shall bee sufficient for them. But an over large Hive is prejudicial to their swarm­ing.

When you have provided your Hive, clip off, and cut away all the staring straws in the inside, and make it as smooth as you can. The best and readiest way to perform it, is this: First wet the skirts of you Hive, then hold it a turn or two over a blaze of straw, and then take it off, do it a second time, and if need bee a third; and after rub it with a peece of a rubbing stone, such as Mowers use to whet their sithes withall. And so shall you much ease the Bees, they will do it themselves in time, but not without much pains and labour, which might bee more profitably imployed. Howsoever when you have [...]mmed it as well as you can, yet shall you hear them if you listen in an evening harping like Mise (as if Mise were gnawing on [Page 60] every side) and that for divers nights together.

And if it bee an old Hive, though it were musty, yet hold­ing it over a fire several times, will sweeten it. And the Bees will better like in such a Hive so ordered, than in a new one, not purged with the fire.

Mr. Southern, and others after him advise, that if Bees finde Mr. Southern. fault with a Hive, and will not continue in it, to pull out the spleats, and put into it a little quantity of Barly, Pease, or Moult, and let a Hog, eat it out of the Hive, turning the Hive with your hand as hee eats, that the slaver or froth hee makes may remain in the Hive, and then wipe it lightly with a cloath, and having put in your spleats again, hive your Bees in it, and they will undoubtedly tarry. I never had occasion to experiment it, because that I never had swarm that I could not make to ta [...]ty in one Hive, or other.

Many rub their Hives before they use them with fennel, or other sweet herbs, and sprinkle them also with Honey and Beer mingled together, Sweet-wort, Milk, or some other sweet li­quor, but I seldome use it, but onely as I said before, purifie and sweeten them with fire; and perhaps set them, before they bee used, open in the aire a few dayes out of the danger of rain.

I have scarce (in forty swarms, and more that I have had in a year) hived one twice, or had any return after that they have been hived, except when the Queen Bee hath been want­ing.

Having prepared and dressed your Hives, the next thing that you are to do is to stick them. And various are the fashions that are observed, some doing it one way, some another, Mr. Mr. Levit or­dering of Bees. Levit prescribes this course. Take a stick of Sallow, or Hasel, about the bigness of a mans thumb, let it bee a foot long, or somewhat more, then cleave it cross-wise from one end till you come within a handfull of the other end, and no further, then bend each quarter a several way, cutting off the sharp edges in the midst of every one of them, then may you put the end that is not cleft into the crown of the Hive, and bending every of them a several way, stick them into the side of the Hive, that they may force the upper uncleft end hard to the crown of the Hive; but if the Hive have a little hole in the crown (as many [Page 61] straw Hives have) then cut the upper end of your said crown tree where it is not cleft small enough to go through a little way, leaving a shoulder on the inside to stay it: And this is to keep the crown of the Hive from sagging down-wards as they wil do (except your Hives bee exceeding good) when they are heavy laden with hony.

Lastly, Take a small stick and cleave it clean through in the midst, cutting both the parts flat and smooth, and put them cross-wise into the Hive within four fingers of the board they shall stand upon.

But this inconvenience I finde in this manner of sticking, that they cannot bee taken out, but altogether, and therefore the combes will bee much broken, and the honey run out when you take a Hive.

This course I observe; I take a willow stick, about nine, or ten inches long, and (according to the greatness) cleave it into several thin peeces, each spleat I shave till it will bow, then sharpning both the ends; I stick three such spleats in the center of the crown of the Hive, and bow the three other ends to the sides of the Hive (that they stand like so many bows) and there enter them in a triangle. And then after put a strong spleat quite through the middle of the Hive within four inches of the bot­tome. If it bee a large Hive, I put another cross that (other­wise not) about an inch lower.

That the Hives should have holes quite through them to prevent Spiders webs, or by the wind passing through to blow away any offensive matter, is an idle fancy, yet prescribed by Florentinus. Florentinus.

CHAP. XII. Of Sea [...]s for the Hives, and the Bee-garden.

LEt your Bees bee seated not far from your house out of the Columell [...] ▪ danger of an eccho; not too hot in Summer, nor in too shady a place in Winter. This counsel may bee profitable to some, but it is of little worth to us where the hottest Sun in Summer if they bee well defended with covers, or a Penthouse [Page 62] hurts them nothing, and the greatest frost in Winter (supposing them covered above, and also well stopt below) damnifies them nothing. Nay, I have found experimentally that in a row of Hives standing on the North side of a long Barn, whose height hath intercepted the Suns beams all the Winter, less provision (almost by half) hath served those Hives than would have ser­ved others standing alwayes open to the Sun, for coming seldome forth they did eat little, and yet in the Spring were as forward to work, and to swarm, as those that had twice as much hony (otherwise alike) in the Autumn before.

Some Bees will bee late at their work after Sun-set, and if when they return they finde it dark about the hive, they must lye abroad, if not altogether perish. Let the door therefore bee somewhat to the West.

Let your Bee-garden bee well fenced from Cattel, and as well as may bee defended from winds, especially let them be secured from the West and South-west winds, which are with us most constant in the Summer. The time of Bees labouring, Virgil thus prescribes,

Mr. Butler would have them defended from the rising Sun, because it invites them to work when the aire is chilly and cold. Suppose there were such an inconvenience, which yet I never found, yet where there were many hives, a fense on the East side could not defend many if any at all. And if they stand on benches with backs or walls behinde them, and a Penthouse over them, they will bee at work in a fair day two or three hours before the Sun can shine upon them.

And for swarms, it is best to uncover them on the first shining of the Sun upon them the day after they are set up (till they know their station) that they may bee allured forth by the heat thereof, yet when the Sun shines hot at noon, let them bee sleightly covered.

Columella prescribes that the hives stand with their mouths somewhat to the East, that the Sun may shine on them in the [Page 63] morning, and make them more early to follow their work; but upon experience, I commend the setting of them somewhat to the West, that (being late often at their work) they may have more light (their eyes being weak) to enter their Hives, and also that they be not prejudiced with the Easterly winds, which are cold and hurtful.

Let their entrance be low (because of the Mouse) but lon­ger in Summer, and shorter in Winter, but in Autumn shor­test of all, not having passage for above a Bee or two at once, to prevent the danger of robbing both by Bees and Waspes.

Some prefer single stooles as not subject to diverse inconve­niences, which Bees standing on benches (as they imagine) are liable to, they are kept saith Mr. Levit by Penthouses from the raine, but neither from the heat of Summer, nor cold of Win­ter, for they stand naked, the heat or cold easily takes hold of them, especially any great and long frost.

Againe, the Wind many times makes a great noyse in the hollowness of those kind of houses, which sore annoyeth the Bees; Mr. Butler saith, that many stalles upon a bench in Sum­mer may cause the Bees to fight, as having easie access on foot to each other.

And againe, standing so near, they some time mistake the next Hive for their owne; and againe, in Winter the benches will bee alwayes wet, which looseth the cloome, rotteth the bottom of the Hive, and offendeth the Bees; and lastly, the Mouse at all times hath free passage from one to another without fear.

I have tried both wayes, and found none of these evils that are objected, in setting Bees under a penthouse, and whereas in the first place it is urged, That they are always subject to Heats, and Colds; I answer, that if any are much offended with either of these extreams, they are the Hives that stand on single stools where the Sun penetrates, sometimes through the hackle and the cold winds every way pierce them; and in the Spring, when they begin to work, will blow many of the Bees from their Hives when they would enter in.

And for the noyse that is occasioned by the Winds to Hives under a penthouse, it is less loud and violent than where it hath an open passage on all quarters; but they are more apt to fight on benches than on single stooles. In many years observation, [Page 64] having more Hives upon benches than ever I knew any to have on single stooles, I never had any robbed by his next neighbour, but most commonly (if at all) by some of another Bee-fold; and whereas it is objected, that in Winter the benches will bee always wet, I answer, that this objection is altogether frivo­lous, nay false, for the same cause shall wet the single stooles that will wet the benches under covers; nay, they are much more subject to it, for only a driving raine from the South can wet a little at most before the entrance, which the Sun or Wind wil quickly dry, when as they are liable to wet on every side; and for the Mouse, she will more securely visit them where she may unseen (getting under the hackle) eate her way into the Hive, Mr. Lawson new Orchard. Mr. Lawson therefore commends a penthouse.

But if any delight in single stooles, let them be of wood ra­ther than of stone, for they are too hot in Summer, and which is worse, too cold in Winter; be careful that they be well cove­red with hackles, which you must often take off, both to dry the Hives in a Sunny day, and also for fear of Mise and Spi­ders.

And whereas it is objected, that Bees standing on benches are apt to mistake their Hives, especially the young ones; and if a Swarme return home they will settle upon the next Hives, to their owne and others ruine, and thereby occasion a great loss of Bees; to prevent this, let them stand half a foot at the least between Hive and Hive (it were best a foot) and these mis­carriages would be avoyded, and to secure you from Mise, keep a Trap constantly on every Bee board.

Take notice of some advantages that this way you may en­joy, which you cannot so well when they stand on single stools; oftentimes a poor Hive standing by a full neighbour, if they lye ou [...], and the weather be not sitting to swarme, they w [...]ll (as it were) make a League of amity with them, and first growing familiar, will with their supernumerary Bees (all not being able to work in the full Hive) replenish their neighbour with bread and meat, whereby they will swarme almost as soon as the best, which otherwise would not have swarmed that year, or very late.

But besides (which is more considerable) you may have much pure Honey without any trouble, or loss; about midde [Page 65] April in a warme Spring, observe what Hives are full, and begin to lye out, and set a Hive with the Combes that the Bees dyed out of the Winter immediatly before, next to such a full Hive, and you shall have them work into it presently, and carry in abundance of Honey; of necessity many of them must have been idle in their owne Hive, there being no roome for half to work; they take this as a retiring house which they will work in, and stay in too, night and day, only keeping an intercourse with their owne, which will swarme never the later, and as soon as by the emission of a Colony there is roome made in their own Hive, they will goe againe to their Leader and leave their pro­vision; if some few stay when you take it, knock them out, and they will returne to their old habitation; I had this last year, one thousand six hundred fifty six, in four such By-hives thus gathered, in eight dayes before the end of April neere four gallons of Honey, and the Hives also swarmed in April▪ this Honey was pure Virgin Honey, as white almost as milk.

But if they stand a week in May and swarme not, then take the retiring Hive and carry it some distance from the stoole, and knock it on the crown and sides, and they will all goe out to their owne Hive. But if you dare not venter on this course▪ then drive them into an empty Hive, and the day following knock them out neer their owne Stock, and they will quickly return into it. By this, conjecture how much honey Bees gather in the Spring, but of this more afterwards, so that it is neither for want of roome, or stooles, or wit (as some imagine) to set Hives on benches under a penthouse.

Mr. Butler designes to set sixty three Hives of Bees in a plot of ground of fifty foot square (if any, saith he, be so happy to attaine this number, which I have much exceeded) but I would rather advise to set your Hives if you have many▪ at a larger di­stance, if you have roome, whether upon single stooles, or upon benches, namely, not above sixteen, or at most twenty in a row (still take notice to set them from East to West) and three or four rodds to the Southward, another row, and so according to your numbers, or at double that distance if you have roome e­nough, for it cannot otherwise but often fall out, that you shall have many swarmes rise together, or before you shall have Hived the first, especially in a plentiful year, to your no little disturbance, [Page 66] and prejudice: Whereas standing at that distance, you shall more frequently prevent it; and the more, if you have a row of trees planted thick to the Southwards of every row of hives, some two or three rods distant, where they will readily light and seek no further.

Another inconvenience of many hives standing upon single stools one before another is, that sometimes the swarms will settle on the hackles of the hives before them, and if you bee not present, and speedily hive them, hazzard the loss of the swarm, and perhaps the stock too, as I have found by ex­perience.

Let the ground before your stools or benches, for a rod or two at least, bee kept short with often mowing, for long grass and weeds, much more Beans and Pease are prejudicial: for the young weak Nymphs falling on those shady places (except the weather bee warm and dry) are in danger to bee chilled, before they can [...]se again.

Let it not bee a bare ground, for in Winter it will bee wet, and chill the Bees when they light on it, and in the Summer dusty, and falling on it if they rise not presently, but go a little, their feet being dew-clawed, and scabrous, will quickly sur, and they will bee so clogged, that they will not bee able to rise at all.

Let them not stand above a foot, or a foot and a half from the ground at the most, for if they stand higher (as most set them) they are more subject to the violence of the winds, for though they do well enough abroad in windy weather, yet when they return home, especially in the Spring, they will bee beaten down besides the hive (and the more if they stand upon stools than on benches) and if there bee a present shoure (the weather then i [...] variable) or the Sun suddenly over-cast, they will quickly chill, and perish.

That they infect one another with their smell if they stand too hear together (as Mr. Levit surmifeth) I never found, nor do I beleeve. And i [...] great noises offend them, the higher they stand, the more [...] they subject [...] them.

I have observed that Bees flye more frequently to their work East ward than any other way, though there bee as good gathering to the West▪

[Page 67]Smoak is very offensive to Bees, let them not stand therefore near a Brick-kilne, Lime-kilne, Brew-house, or where any long continuing smoak may beat down upon them.

Let your Bee garden, or the ground adjoynin to it, bee planted with all sorts of Plumbs, Cherries, Apples, Pears, Goos-berries, Rasps, Ribes, and beds between planted with all sorts of flowers that they delight in, I will give you a Catalogue of them in their proper place.

The humble Plains, or lowly Vallies are commended as the Columel. best place for a Bee-garden.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Bees work.

WHen the Earth begins to put on her new apparel, and the Sun runs a most even course between the night, and the day, then most commonly, sometimes before in warmer seasons, the industrious Bee hating idleness more than death, diligently visits every tree and flower that may afford her ma­terials for her livelihood. Hear how an ancient Poet expres­seth it.

Pliny was deceived in the time of the Bees working, for hee saith, they lye quiet in the hive untill after the rising of the Vergiliae, which are the Plei [...]des, or seven stars in the neck of Taurus, about the third of May.

This incessant labour while the time permitteth, with the three singular effects thereof, working of wax, making of honey, and the feeding of their young. The Poet in few words hath elegantly expressed.

Bees gather of all things which have flowers (as it were) in a Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 5. c. 19. hose or socket, and of all other things which are sweet; but either assertion is too general, as wee will shew when wee particularise what they gather of. Scaliger commenting upon him, goes further, and saith, They gather also of bitter, and sharp things, as Raddish, and Mustard-seed, but hee mistook himself, for the flowers (which they onely gather of) are neither bitter nor sharp.

The fabrick of their combes is an inimitable excellency, without all rules or compasses do they make their hexangle Aeli [...]n l. 5. c. 1. cells. As soon as they are furnished with a new house, they begin their work.

They gather not, whatsoever some groundlesly imagine of the Sallow, Elm, or other trees any gummy substance other than Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 2 [...]. wax. Indeed the Horners, and Wasps suck the sap that leaks from some Oaks, Elms, and other trees, wherewith they tem­per the dry rossie dross, that they gnaw off from old decayed posts and pales, of which mixed together they frame their [...] ▪ combs.

Much adoe the Ancients make about the foundation of their work, which they conceit to bee framed of some tough and glu­ [...]inous matter other than wax, and they fancie a triple founda­tion, for the c [...]mbes, all of such tough, but pliant, and lim [...]er stuff, differing somewhat one from another, and all from pure waxe: The first foundation they call Commosis: A second, which they over-lay the former with Pissocera; and the third, wherewith they cover the two former Propolis.

But whatsoever they fancie, the foundation of the Combs is not any other than ordinary waxe: Take an old Hive wherein some remna [...]ts of the Combs have been left sticking to the [Page 69] sides, or if there bee none, fixe towards the crown of the hive in several places, little fragments of waxe, and hold the hive a little over a blaze of straw that the waxe may melt and diffuse about the sides of the hive, and such a hive will they more con­tentedly work in than any other, presently to that foundation of wax, fastening wax new gathered from the flowers (for in some Islands plentiful of Bees, there are no trees for some miles, as Fowlness, &c.)

They fasten the first wax near to the center of the hive, if they bee many, but if there bee few Bees then near the side, they make their combs perpendicular, beginning at the top, and so working down to the bottome; the heat of the Bee (that I say not of their breath) maketh the wax warm and pliable, that at the first gathering they can work, and turn it to their pur­pose.

They will not onely work artificially the wax they gather into thin hexangles, but blow and soften, and work a solid peece of wax into a comb, as I have often experimented, putting a peece of wax under a hive almost combed to the board.

The order of their work is thus: They fasten their first wax to the hive, and adding more still, make first the middle between the cells, and having wrought a little of the thin bottome, than on either side begin to raise the hexangle cells, and so still des­cending to the bottome, as some are fully finished, others are but half way, others new begun.

Their combes are placed otherwise than the Wasps, for the Wasps hang theirs one under another, and the Bees theirs one besides another, beginning still at the top, and at that distance that a Bee may reach from one to another. And usually sup­posing them to stand with the entrance into the hive South­wards, they fasten and order them so, that in the breadth they are from East to West, thereby better securing themselves from cold.

Their cells are made six quare, according to the number of their feet of that length and wideness that each of them may easily contain a young Bee. More particularly they make their Basil He [...]em. Homil. 8. combes with such artificial prudence, that they seem to out goe Archimedes, for the wise Bee is not ignorant of Geometrical inventions, all her cells are hexangles, and have equal sides, [Page 70] not leaning by courses right forwards, that the lowest being joy­ned to the empty one, may not be pressed or prejudiced, but the angles of the lowest hexangles may be a basis and support for that that leanes upon them, that they may securely hold up, and bear the burdens put upon them, and the Hony may be contai­ned severally, and apart in every cell.

And againe, the Bees contrive their Hony-cels both wisely, and artificially, for distending the Wax into a thin membrane, they frame together many and numerous cells, that by the fre­quency of the binding or knitting of the small cells one among a­nother, there may be a stay or p [...]op for the whole work; for every cavity or cell takes fast [...]old of his fellow, being separated by a small division from it, and all joyned to it.

And lastly, these pipes, or cells, are twice or thrice arched, and framed together like the rafters of houses.

O [...] they thus make their hexangle cels, which with a divers Nice [...]s com­ment. in Greg. Nazian. orat. 43. [...]. 1. and opposite order answer one another, for some are placed at a right line, others are instead of foundations to them that lye up­on them, and staies for the hony, both for the elegancy, and also the security of the work; so wisely and skilfully doth she fabricate her Store-house, for drawing out the Wax into a thin skin, or membrane, she makes thick and continued cavities, so as that thick composition of small things among themselves doe sustaine and underprop the whole work, for every cell doth joyn or hang to his fellow, being divided by a small partition, and also (as before) conjoyned together.

In a word, the cells are so framed that they have two or three floores or rafters, for she is affraid to make but one through the whole cavity, left the hony pressed down with the weight, should sink to the external part.

Now all the cells in every Combe are hexangle▪ and equilate­ral, not leaning straight forth one to another, left the lowest parts joyned to the empty ones should be too much burthened, but the angles of the lower hexangles are instead of a basis, or prop to the superiour. After this fashion the Bee frames her work, va­rying Elias G [...]etens. Antist. com. [...] Greg. Nazian. orat. [...]. de theol. right lines with angles.

And thus saith another, where had the Bees such studious industry and workmanship, that they should after such diverse manners knit together their Combes by hexangle Pipes turned [Page 71] one against another, which connexions made wisely, and with much cunning, doe hold together by hexangle pipes, which pipes are the long and concave Store-houses for the Hony; now these are opposite to, and turned one against another, for some are placed straight, others on the contrary are obliquely stretched forth on the bottomes of them which are drawn forth right, which doe afford their sides for the pipes that hang over, in­stead of a foundation, and as it were a shore, whereon the hony may rest.

Now what Euclid busied in representing lines which are no where, and anxiously labouring in demonstrations can imitate them? The frame and manner is most curious, with holes on both sides of the Combes, many hundreds, and yet they are none of them just one against another, but placed triangular one among three, and that most neatly and artificially, which argu­eth their feeling to be good, for they doe all in the dark.

Each hexagonical bottome of one side, answereth to three Mr. But. Fen [...] mon. c. 6. third parts of the hexagonical basis of three contiguous cells on the other side, meeting all in one angle right in the center of the opposite bottome, as in this forme;

which is so artifi­cial, as well for strength and beauty, that no Schadon though the thin bottome of his cell should faile, can break thorow into a cell of the other side. He that seeth this, seeth he not a wonder?

How much Wax they bring at once doth appear by the new Swarme, whose first weeks work is spent chiefly in building Comb [...], wherein they are so earnest, that it falleth out with them, as it is in the Proverb, The more baste the worse speed; for part of many of their burdens doe fall from them before they can fa­sten them to the combes.

You may see great store upon the stoole by the skirts of the Hive, like unto the white scales which fall from young Birds feathers (but whiter and brighter) and therefore some have ima­gined that they also are soales, which the young Bees doe like­wise shed from their wings; but put you some of these parcels together, and you shall quickly be resolved of that doubt.

The Swarme when it begins to work falls low towards the bottome of the Hive (in appearance filling it) that there may be a vacuity and hollowness above, that those that work (for a [...] [Page 72] first all cannot) may neither be crowded, nor disturbed, but as the Combes descend, so doe the Bees ascend, and after a week or ten dayes will be all above.

Now to say something of their gathering of Hony, which they fetch in little or much nine moneths in the year; this is of two sorts, the one pure and liquid, called therefore by some Nectar, as the other which is gross and more solid Ambrosia, and both of them are the Bees food, but in several seasons.

The gross hony Sandaracha, or Bee-bread, is gathered by their tongues, with the assistance of their fangs, from whence it is conveyed by their fore-leggs to the thighs of their hind-leggs, and that so nimbly, that unless you have a quick eye you cannot perceive it. In the Spring, when the air is colder, and the Bees duller at their work, it is more visible: namely when they gather off the Aglets, or Catkins, of the Hazel, or the Willow a little after.

Many out of curiosity have supposed, that they might be a­ble to observe the Bees work if they had a transparent Hor [...]-hive, as a certaine Consul in Rome had, or a clear Glass-hive; but the Gullel, de Conchis. vanity of this opinion will quickly appear to any intelligent and rational man; for imagine the Hives were more transparent than Chrystal, unless the Bees also, and all their work too were transparent as well as the Hives, this cannot be; put an opacous body into the hollow of it, your sight is dulled and darkned, but more when they once begin to frame their Combes, the foun­dation of their work, which they frequently compass round a­bout; and howsoever such Hives would not be profitable, for they are subject to violent heats and colds, and therefore earthen Hives were justly condemned by the ancients.

But if any be desirous to satisfie himself, as much as is possible, I will direct him in a more certain way, often experimented by me, yet I say not, that I will altogether undeceive his expecta­tion.

Let the board or plank whereon the Bee-hive stands have a small hole, or cleft thorow the middle of it (bigge enough for a Bee to goe through) or let the Hive stand a little over the board or stoole, and when the Hive is full you shall ordinarily have them work Combes to the bottome of the board under the Hive; I have had under one hive six or seven Combes about a [Page 73] foot long a peice, wherein they bred their young, laid up their hony and Bee-bread as in the hive; and although they were in the open air, yet was I thereby little the wiser, only sometimes in a colder season I have observed them blowing, and working of the lower part of their Combe, but was not any thing at all enabled to understand the generation of their young, or other curiosities which were performed in the inmost combs; and with­in themselves (except the Bees and their work too, had been transparent) they still some of them encompassing their work; and therefore except you can with your eye penetrate a solid body, you will conceive thereby little of their work (only some­times on the edges of their Combs) and much less in a Glass­hive.

They unload into the empty cells the Bee-bread which they have gathered for food for themselves, when they cannot goe forth to work, and also to feed their young, but if it continue any long time uneaten, it wil grow dry, insipid, and sower, and there­by as tastless, so useless, and oft cause the Bees to forsake their Hives (as some suppose) but this is never the chief cause of their departure, but rather paucity and fewness of Bees, having over-swarmed, or else the loss of their commander. For, hive a swarm into old combs where is much stopping, yet shal you finde that they will thrive wel, for they wil draw it out of the cels with their fangs, and carry it forth. And let the combs be never so old, except they have taken wet, and so be rotten and crispie, they wil like well of them, only if they be very old, they will doe as Ma­sons doe with old stone buildings, take down the out-part and work it again with new materials, whereby it shall be as good as new, and they continue as long, and as well in them, as if they had been put into new combs.

Into old combs (after nine or ten years standing the Bees by casualty dying) I have hived little or late swarms, which have continued in some of them ten years more.

Sometimes my owne, sometimes my Neighbours Bees have trimmed up such Hives as they have found standing (the Bees being dead) and have gone of themselves into them, and thrived better than others hived into new hives, or new combs; so that blackness (as it is commonly thought) is not an infallible signe of a faulty hive, for the combs have successively sundry colours.

[Page 74]The first colour is white, which in a good Hive before the end of Summer will turn to a light yellow, and by the begin­ning of the next Spring▪ this light is changed into a sad colour, and so by degrees it becomes brown, and then black, but not in all parts of the Hive alike, for the combs will bee black before, and brown in the middle when they are yellow, if not white in the backward combs. And this alteration of colour, is caused by the heat of the Bees, who lying for the most part before, do soonest discolour them; but the blackest combs (tried or melt­ed) will turn again to yellow.

It is not amiss (especially if the Hives bee poor) to cleanse away in the Spring the dross and filth that the Bees have con­tracted all Winter when they could not go abroad▪ but for fu­ming of them, as some require, I never saw any cause, nor found any profit in many years that I have been conversant among them.

To seek (as Varro requires) if there bee divers rulers, be­cause divisions would make them laz [...]e, is a ridiculous, if not im­possible task: They kill after the last swarm all of the blood Royal, and in the Spring early breed new, that they may bee ready to go with the first swarm.

The Vulgar when they see the Bees go home laden with Bee-bread, suppose they carry way, and so they call it, but if you taste it, you will easily resolve your self.

Besides, if you would coagulate it together, with the heat of your fingers (as you may wax) you cannot, but shall finde it crumble, and not stick together like wax Put it into the fire, it will not melt like wax; besides, it is of divers colours according to the quality of the flowers, or plants whereof it is gathered, so that by the colour with a little observation, you may say of most of the Bees, when they return with it, where they have been gathering.

Taste it when it is new gathered, it is sweet, and not un­pleasant, but not so sweet as honey.

And that it is not wax, take notice of an old stock into which they carry plentifully of it, and yet at the end of the year there is no more wax (if so much) then there was in the beginning. Whereas a swarm will sometimes work down half their hive in a week, and yet you shall see them carry▪ little of it if any at all.

[Page 75]And the reason that the old stocks carry inso much, is, be­cause they have many young ones to feed, whereas a swarm for the first ten dayes, ordinarily have not hatched much spat, or young brood, and they feed for the most part abroad, and there­fore need little of it in the Hive.

The liquid honey the Bees suck or gather with their tongue, whence they let it down into their bottles, which are within them like bladders, each of them will hold a drop at once; you may see their bellies strut withall. Many think because they see nothing on their thighs, that they come home empty, but they are better, and more heavy laden than the other.

This sedulous diligence and indefatigable industry of the Bees is most evident and eminent in the Spring, after they have been long confined to their hives with the Winters frost and cold, but being set at liberty by the Suns warmer beams, they speedily scoure over hills and dales gathering of every blossome, and flower as greedily as the griping Usurer graspeth gold, which diligence of theirs, is notably expressed by a Modern Poet.

Thus in the Spring the diligent Bee spreads forth her wings, Greg. Nazian. orat. 43. [...]. 2. yet stiffe as it were with the Winters cold, and with haste leaving the hive, flyes to the slowery Meads and pleasant Gardens.

But for your further delight, consider the Bees labour, in the words of one of our best English Poets, yet somewhat altered, because not intended by him for this purpose.

CHAP. XIV. Of the swarming, and hiving of Bees.

BEes breed in May, when there is plenty of honey dews▪ Dr. Harvey de partu. Wasps in Summer, when the fruits begin to ripon. It is true Bees breed in May, but their chief breeding is in March, and April. And although the Wasps appear not in great numbers untill the latter end of Summer, yet they begin to breed in the Spring.

The old stocks having bred in the Spring, and with a new supply replenished their hives, they presently prepare to send forth a Colony or two (if the weather prove seasonable) out of every good stall.

In extraordinary dry and windy times, many, though they bee full, yet they will not swarm at all. For having wa [...]ted long for an alteration of the weather in vain, and the year wearing away, and they by lying forth under; or about the sides of the hive▪ cooling themselves, and being well provided for, are loath so leave their labours to go anew to labour.

Sometimes it falls out▪ because they have no Commander [Page 78] ready. I once had a very good hive full, and multitudinous with Bees, and yet never swarmed in many years, I was resolved to let them alone, to try whether they would ever swarm; in the eighth year they swarmed twice, and also other years after, what might bee the cause of their long delay, I cannot certainly assign.

The swarm consists not of younger Bees, then the stock, for there go forth both old and young, and therefore Aristotle was deceived, who said that the swarm consisted of young Bees, Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 64. and was not contradicted by Scaliger commenting upon him.

The swarm parts not into several companies, but when there are more Queens than one. Some Drones go along in every swarm, but not many, seldome a dozen: And therefore whereas some lay it down as an insallible rule, That those swarms that have not many Drones will not thrive, is not alwayes true.

Many times the weather proving stormy, and cold, the Drones will all bee starved, when as the Bees will supply them­selves by going sometimes (though seldome) abroad. Nay the Bees often in such seasons jealous of their own safety (and knowing them to bee great devoure [...]s) will kill them; and yet the weather proving seasonable, afterwards have thriven and prospered well that year, but perhaps they had a concept [...]ve power by a masculine vertue from the Drones before they swarmed.

It is impossible to determine the precise time of the year when Bees will swarm, but by the forwardness of the Spring, and warmness of the weather you may probably guess.

A warm, calm, and a showing Spring causeth many and early swarms; but it is to be supposed if stormy, cold, and close weather follow, not a great while together, immediately after. I once had many Hives (the beginning of the Spring being milde and warm) very forward, so that by the end of March they began to lye forth.

And although the weather within a week of April, did somewhat alter, yet (being full of brood withi [...] which came daily to perfection, they lay forth in abundance by Mid-April, but the Spring continuing tempestuous and cold untill a week in May, [...] of the very best wholly perished, having many [Page 79] mouthes and no meat, and not being able (because of the cold) to goe forth to gather any, in Ianuary before▪ I am confident the worst of them had not less than three quarts of hoay.

Now those that were poor and weak began not to breed so early, and though they were not so well supplied, yet had they few mouthes as they had a little meat, and endured the ex­tremity, and swarmed that year, but somewhat later than ordi­nary; the first sort lying forth without the Hive I could not se­curely feed them, which otherwise I would have done, when I perceived them to perish.

Sometimes also in regard of the uncertainty of the weather, early swarms are not the best; in the year one thousand six hun­dred fifty two, I had twenty swarms before mid May, and many more after, and of all, but one survived until the next year, for the year was so dry that by Midsummer there was scarse any flowers, and they yeelded little hony, except in the Wood­lands, where the Bees among the moyst and shady pla [...]s found better provision.

Many times May swarms prove not so well as those that are cast in the beginning of Iune, the Wind oft times continuing high and cold, and the season close, so that without a little re­freshing many swarms are like to perish.

If a swarme by bad weather be checked, and hindred in their work the first week, they will seldome work couragiously all the summer following.

Dry weather makes plenty of hoay, and moyst of swarms, so that when a d [...]y summer follows a moyst spring, the Bee-folds Arist. de Hist. animal. lib. 4. c. 22. Mr. Butler, Fem. Mon. are rich, but if the summer be also moyst, the increase of Be [...]s will be great, but because of the scarsity of hony, this increase will prove a decrease; the more swarms you have at the end of summer, the fewer stalls shall you have at the beginning of the next, for except some very early swarms, and some good stocks which cast betimes, or not at all they will all dye for hunger; and the reason is, that the weather keeping them much in, they can doe nothing but breed, and when they goe abroad, bring in no­thing but Bee-bread and water, wherewith they seed their young, but can finde nothing to lay up in store; so that moyst weather gives them two causes of swarming, plenty of Bees, and [Page 80] penury of Hony; the one makes them able, the other willing, and then neither Winds, nor Clouds, nor Rain can stay them, whereas in times of plenty it is otherwise.

Before they swarme some daies, they will by a peculiar and Arist de Hist. Animal. lib. 9. c. [...]0 distinct voyce, make it known throughout all the Hive, as in the dislodging of an Army by the sound of Trumpets, proclaime, pack up, and be gone; so that as a presage of their swarming, there is a peculiar sound heard two or three days before.

Mr. Mouffet mistakes this place strangely, and applying it to Mr. Muff. Theatrum In­sect. the Bees, saith, When the Bees for the Queens tyranny will forsake the Hive (which falls out at the Greek Calends) there is a peculiar and solitary voice, as of a Trumpet, heard two or three days before: when therefore they are ready for their slight, away they goe, and if the Tyrant whom they forsake follow them, they put her to death.

But this voyce is not at all, or but some few hours before they goe forth with their first Colony, it is true indeed always of the after swarms, but by the way, if they hear not at all, (which Aristotle elsewhere denies) to what purpose were this call, or proclamation to make ready to be gone?

The signes of the first swarms are somewhat uncertain, but Varro de re [...]ustic [...], lib. 3. lying out, about, or under the Hive, in the mornings and evenings only, is a very probable signe of swarming, whereas to lye out constantly, is a signe of not swarming.

When they will presently swarme you may sometimes know, by their gathering together without at the door of the Hive, and not only upon the Hive, but on the stoole also, where when you see them begin to hang one upon another in swarming time, and not before, and to grow into a cluster that covers the stoole in any place, then be sure they will presently [...]ise, if the weather hold; but commonly some few doe first fly forth to and f [...]o the Hive door, with a greater noyse than ordinary, and so allure out more company unto them, and when by this means they have got out a pretty many, the noyse made by them is more smart and vehement, when they begin to dance before the Hive, and making many circling mo [...]ns turning from, and yet againe re­turning to the Hive, with delightful melody singing a loath to [Page 81] depart, invite all their Sisters to hasten apace, and wait upon their Queen now on her coronation day.

When Bees lye continually forth of the Hive, they usually swarme late, sometimes not at all that year, the reason thereof is, because the Hives being ful of Bees, and therefore very hot, the Bees to refresh and coole themselves lye abroad under the Hive, or upon the sides thereof, whereby the Hive never seemes over full; and they having used a while to lye forth, finde no inconvenience from their multitudes, and are loath to forsake that plenty which they have painfully gathered.

If they begin a Combe under the board, it is a sure signe of not swarming; sweep them down that hang under, and imbit­ter the place, and gently drive them into the Hive with a brush of wet stinking weeds, or smoke them in, as you shall be more fully informed afterwards. But doe what you can, some Hives wil not swarme at all, or not a great while, perhaps they want a Leader.

Always choose a Hive answerable to the swarme, a forward swarme if great, may be put into a Hive that containes some­what more than three pecks, but if it be a prime swarme, in the beginning of Iune, into a Hive containing three pocks; if at Midsummer, into a Hive somewhat less, but I like no Hive that holds not somewhat above half a bushel.

By this time the swarme is setled, goe presently therefore to hive it (having Hives of all sorts alwayes prepared) for fear of rising again, or of others coming to it.

If it be in the heat of the day, and the Sun shine upon it, it will not stay long, if it be provided of a place (hive or tree) as some are before hand; presently after they are setled, and all their company gathered together, they wil uncluster, rise againe, and be gone, and fly forth right thither (not as at other times uncertainly) and wil not be staid by any course you can take. If they be not provided before-hand, as soon as they are gathered together, they designe, or empower some of their company to [Page 82] espy out one, and if they return with the news of it before swarming time bee past, for that day (and they yet unhived) they will presently uncluster, and away, otherwise they will hang untill the next day. They therefore deal indiscreetly, that let their swarms hang untill night, losing thereby many, and hindring them in their work; for as soon as they are hived, if it bee not late in the afternoon, they will presently ply their work, and sometimes make a comb a handfull long before night, and fill much of it with honey, as I have often found, when I have united them to another.

And besides by long hanging, they will bee wonted to the place, that for some dayes after, they will hanker thereabouts, and neglect their labours.

And where there are many Hives, there is great likelihood of others rising, and then if they bee within hearing, they will flye all together; bestir you therefore to hive them presently; and if you espy any other to arise before you have done, stop them up with a cloath (and when you have dispatched, let them out) but if you have finished before they come forth, or come towards you, cover the first with a sheet untill the last bee settled elsewhere. But if they flye about the covered Hive, seeking to enter there, set down a prepared empty Hive by it, and they will often go in of themselves.

But if two prime swarms rise together, then there is no pre­vention, but for the most part they will settle together: Hive half of them into one Hive as near as you can guess, and the remainder into another. And if the Queen Bees be divided, they will continue severally, otherwise, will go out of that Hive where is no Queen, into the other. When they are all entred into one, knock them down into a fan, or upon a very broad board, and set two Hives over them, having first laid sticks a­long in the fan to bear up the Hives a little from the bottome, that the Bees may on every side easily enter in, and with a wing or brush of weeds, sweep some to one, and some to another, as e­qually as you can. But if notwithstanding all your endeavours, they will go to one Hive, then fetch a weak castling, and knock­ing down near half upon the fan, carry the other away the distance of a rod, or more, and set the castling over those in the fan, and so shall you have two good Hives howsoever.

[Page 83]If your swarm light upon a bough, shake them in gently, and set them upon a board o [...] fan, underneath the place, having laid two sticks first (near an inch about) about half a foot asunder, to rear up the skirts of the Hive, that no Bees may bee crushed by the Hive, and the Bees may more readily enter. And if any rise as (usually some will) shake them down, and lay a handfull of May-weed, Wormwood, or other wet herbs in the place where they setled, and they will quickly remove, and goe to their fellows; but if they light very high, then carry up a cloath with you, and cover them that you have in the Hive, and bring it down with the mouth upwards, and set them below (on a fan as before) and fetch the remainder in another empty Hive covered, and when you are down, knock them out by the side of the former, sometime you must do it, a third, nay a fourth time before you have all.

If they light upon the body of a tree (they will bee trouble [...] some to hive) you cannot take half of them in at once, but sweep with a wing or brush of weeds, as many as you can, and set them underneath the place, and fetch the remainder, as be­fore.

Sometimes it will not bee amiss to saw down gently the bough (when you cannot otherwise well come at them) where they hang, fastening first a little line to it, and so softly let it down, or else bring it down in your hand. I have brought down many, and hived them with ease below. At other times when they have been very high in the middle or out-side of a tree, I have carried up a fan, and fastened it by the ears under­neath the swarm, and so hived them as easily as if they had been near the ground, setting them in the fan, laying sticks [...]st in it, as I prescribed before. And in the evening without any trouble, fetched them down, and set them in their place.

The manner of hiving is very various and manifold, by rea­son of the many and different circumstances of the lighting, or pitching, that it can hardly be taught by rules, but is rather to be learned by use, and experience, guided with reason and dis­cretion.

If they settle on a dead hedge, or on the ground, set the Hive over them, under-propping it if there bee cause, and with a handfull of wet weeds stir them softly underneath, and they will [Page 84] go up, and to allure them the sooner, anoint the edges of the Hive with a little honey, and sprinkle a little within it.

It will not be amiss to shred, and order here and there some boughs of the trees in, or near your Bee-garden, that they may hang out, as it were from the rest more opportunely to enter­tain the Bees when they swarm. Yet in places where are nei­ther trees, nor dead hedges, they will settle upon pales, nettles, mallows, they will refuse nothing they readily meet with; sometimes on the very grass: Thus in the Island of Fowl­ness.

To cause stocks that lye out more speedily to swarm, divers Mr. Butler [...]em. [...]om. c▪ 5. rules are prescribed. To keep them cool by watering and sha­dowing of them, and inlarging▪ of the door, to give them aire (alwayes provided that there be no back-door in the Hive) I have with a contrary course occasioned their swarming, first rubbing the bottome of the stool against the door well with wormwood, or the juyce of Elder, and all the sides about the door, and [...]aying wormwood, or May-weed also, close to the mouth, and also before, above the door; which being done, I have in the heat of the day taken off their cover, so that not be­ing well able to continue in the Hive, nor yet to rest under it, nor on the sides of the Hive, they have presently swarmed.

A second way prescribed by Mr. Butler is, when they have lain out (although they have had fit weather two or three dayes) then the next calm and warm day a little before noon (when the Sun shineth, and you see no clouds coming to hide it) put in as many as you can with your brush (it is better to smoak them in) and sweep down the rest, not suffering any to cluster again: These rising in the calm heat of the Sun, will make such a noise, as if they were swarming, which their fel­lows hearing, will perhaps come out unto them, and begin to swarm. It is but a perhaps, for I have seldome seen this course successful.

When all hope of their swarming is past, in some evening while it is yet light (saith Mr. Butler) holding a Hive under those that lye out, cut them off with a tight thred held streight between two hands, and carry them to an over-swarmer that you would mend, knock them down on a table close before his Hive, into which, because they come without a Prince, they are [Page 85] quietly admitted, and quickly united under one Commander: Stay there, I have often tried this course, but without success al­wayes; for though they bee without any great contest admitted and continue there that night, yet the day following, they will return to their old Hive.

See here the difference between a voluntary emission, and a compulsive; when they go forth with a Leader, you may put them any where, for they have by a voluntary departure, ex­cluded themselves from their former society, and to return thither again, except it bee in a short space, is capital: They are reputed as enemies, forsaking their own Commander, and going away with another Leader; but if their Princess in a short space return with them, there is no question about their admission; but if by a wile they are taken from their own company without a Leader, they will return back again do what you can, except you carry them so far that they know not the way.

Mr. Butler for such Hives as have not swarmed before Mid­summer, directs this course, to double the stall, by turning the skirt of the Hive upward, putting the crown into the rim of an old Pale (or the like) well staked about, that it may stand fast, and setting an empty prepared Hive fast upon it, then dawb them (in the middle where they are joyned) round, onely lea­ving a passage even with that of the old stock, and they will ascend into this, and breed, and work as well as in the old. And in the end of August, you may drive them all into the new, and take the old for your labour.

This course seems plausible upon the first proposal, but upon frequent trial, I have found it to little purpose: For the Bees ha­ving many young ones in the old Hive, and much meat, will not ascend, but as they are necessitated for room, and then work their combs to the old, upwards, and not downwards from the top of the Hive, newly set over them; so that by parting of the combs which will not bee without trouble, you may take some little profit of the combs new wrought, but must continue the old Hive to stand still, except you mean to take all, I never found any to have wrought above half way upwards, so that ha­ving no foundation, but the old combs, it is impossible to set down the new Hive.

[Page 86]Bees will swarm any time of the day, between eight in the morning, and four in the afternoon, but the chief time of swarm­ing, is between eleven and one. Many stocks when they are disposed to swarm, will rise in a cloudy season often before the Sun shine upon them, I have had some by eight of the clock; but chiefly in a hot gleam, after that a showr, or a dark cloud hath sent them home, but in hot and dry weather it is not so. The swarming month [...] are April, May, June, and July; rarely, though sometimes in August.

To judge by the time of their swarming, which will thrive, is very uncertain, because of the variable weather that often fol­lows after, for being checked a little, and discouraged at the first, for a week together, they will scarce work kindly all the year after, so that many (though less, and coming a month after) not hindred at all by ill weather, will bee better than those at the end of the year. And another cause why forward swarmes thrive not after soul weather, is, because they are very ventrous abroad, and by the stormy winds, and unseasonable weather many are diminished, and thereby their increase exceedingly retarded.

Signes of after swarms are more manifest and certain, for a­bout ten dayes after the first swarm is cast, sometimes a little sooner, sometimes a day or two later, the next Princess will be­gin to tune in her treble voyce a mournful and begging note, as if shee did pray her Queen mother to give her leave to bee gone, unto which voyce if the Queen vouchsafe to reply, [...]u­ning her base to the young Princess treble, as commonly shee doth (though sometimes not intreated in a day or two) then shee consents, and the third day after expect a swarm. The first day after the grant, how fair soever the weather be, they will not go, and not ordinarily on the next day, except it bee very fair; but on the third day, though it bee somewhat close, and cloudy weather, yet sometimes the weather proving very cold and windy, I have known them stay five or six dayes after li­berty granted.

The evening before they swarm, the young Princess goes calling from one part of the Hive to another, sometimes shee is before, sometimes behinde, sometimes above, but still calls, and resting a while between, shee still renewes her calling. In the [Page 87] morning before, shee often descends to the bottome of the Hive, with shriller and thicker, longer, and more continued notes than at first, that none may plead ignorance, but all know, and acknow­ledge, there is a new Princess, and bee ready to attend her when shee takes possession of her Royalty, dealing herein (but that shee is her own officer, and it is no disparagement, for the Queen mother is her continual assistant) as Princes on earth that come newly to succeed in their Dominions, they make it known by sound of Trumpets, and Proclamations, in the most eminent parts of the Kingdome.

But take notice by the way, that sometimes the Commonalty (knowing best their numbers within, and the state of the wea­ther abroad) not thinking it good to make a division, will after leave obtained, kill the young Princess, and all the infants of the blood Royal, but this is not ordinary.

If the Queen mother after a long intreaty be silent, then there is no way but one, shee must dye, and all her Allies. As the Mr. Butler. Queens voice is a grant, so her silence is a s [...]t denial: The Proverb here hath no place, Quitacet, consentire vide [...]ur, for without this concent, there is no consent▪

Sometimes a third, nay a fourth will arise after a second, if the prime swarm bee broken; but all (ordinarily) within a fortnight. I have known the last (but rarely, and in bad wea­ther) seventeen dayes after the fi [...]st.

When the swarm i [...] up and busie in their dance, it hath been an old and common p [...]ctice, for want of other musick, to play them a fit of Mirth, on a Bason, Warming-pan, or Kettle, to make them more speedily light, and keep them from slying a­way, but this (though ordinary) yet is needless in this respect, for they will settle of themselves, except they have chosen a place before-hand, which is very near. And then when their company is all out, they will flye directly thi [...]her, and your ringing and tinging, will prevail nothing to perswade their stay.

This benefit there is of ringing, that if you have neighbours near, you that keep Bees, you may give notice thereby to pre­vent wrangling, if some of theirs should rise at the same time.

Mr. Levi [...]s opinion is, That tinging is so far from pre­venting [Page 88] their flying away, that it is often a cause to return them back into their Hive, if not to drive them qu [...]te away, for they are amazed as it were, and confounded with the unwonted and clamorous noise.

Mr. Remnant dislikes ringing before the swarm bee quite out of their Hive; but if they be on the wing ready to flye away, then prescribes to make the greatest sound you can to prevent it, as also by throwing up dust, Hogs-dung, or Cows-dung to disturb, and trouble them.

Aristotle doubting whether Bees hear, therefore questions whether they take pleasure in the sound because they hear, or for fear, because of the reverberation, and tremor of the ai [...]e?

That the ringing of Bees anciently practised, was for the Cl [...]udian de [...]x [...]. Consul. Honor [...]i. former reason, the Poet implies, saying, The Bee-master ringing on his Bason by the shrill sound, labours to recall the Bees when they are flying away; and Virgil before him, and before him Aristotle, Convocarieas in alveum aiunt, they did cause them to return.

They flye faster or slower, according to the ringing, if hee Mr. Muffet Theat [...] Insector. strikes apace, they hasten away, but if hee beat leasurely, then they flye slowly.

But if they will not be stayed, but hastening on still, go beyond your bounds, the ancient law of Christendome permitteth you to pursue them whithersoever, but our common Law is more un­civil, and yeelds no such priviledge, for if your Bees bee out of your ground, your property is lost, if your neighbour bee not more courteous.

Many directions have been given, to arm them that hive the swarms to escape danger, but except they be about the body of a tree, or setled very high, you may without any cover, or de­fence securely hive them, otherwise get on a paire of Mi [...]tens or wollen Gloves on your hands, and a thin Cypress over your head and face, and then without any fear, you may safely venture a­mong them.

Second swarms after they are all forth of the Hive, will usu­ally flye about (before they light) longer than prime swarms, the reason is, the Bees knowing that multi [...]udes best thrive together, and they by the smalness of their murmuring sound, being privy [Page 89] to their paucity, do by a continued flying about, allure as many as they can to come forth to augment their numbers.

Sometimes swarms will settle in two or more clusters, a little distance one from the other (seldome prime swarms.) Now usually the cause is, because there bee divers Commanders, and each gets a company. Hive the greatest cluster first, and set it down towards the other, then into an unspleated Hive, shake down the other, and when they bee all in, knock them down close by the first, and they will go together.

Second swarms except they bee early, and out of large stocks, seldome thrive alone: Therefore unite two or three together, and so they will bee as good as a first swarm; you may do it thus, Having hived that swarm that you intend to put to ano­ther, as soon as it begins to bee dark, take a fan, and laying a couple of sticks on it, set your first hived swarm on them to­wards one end of the fan, and then fetch the other, and between your hands clap the Hive hard on the one side, holding it close to the other, most of the Bees will fall down at the first clap, but reiterate your knocking, and they will all fall down, and if they enter not presently, stir and guide them to the Hive, with a brush of weeds, and such as go any other way, sweep them to their fellows, and they will all quickly, and quietly ascend. Within an houre or two, you may (for the most part) set up the Hive again in his place. I have not lost forty Bees in uni [...]ing twenty swarms, besides the Commanders, which of necessity must perish.

Swarms after they bee well setled, seldome return home a­gain (if you let them not hang too long in the heat) and the chief cause of their returning▪ at any time, is the miscarriage of the Queen Bee, who cannot well use her wings, being (perhaps) neverforth of the Hive before, and assaying to flye, falls be­sides the stool, sometimes flyes further, but being quickly wea [...]y falls short of her company.

You may easily know if it bee thus, for as soon as you have hived the cluster, the first inquiry they make is for their Lea­der (whose coming while they hang, they did anxiously ex­pect) but now being hived, and missing her, they presently dis­cover it with a mournful murmuring, sometimes bewayling their condition, joyntly crying out together, and then are all suddenly [Page 90] whist and silent, and by and by again renewing their sad lamenta­tions, tumultuously likewise running before the Hive, and about the sides thereof, as if they were not onely discontented, but distracted: Others are flying (but pittifully complaining, as they flye) about the Garden with a busie Quest searching for her; and if they do not in a short space meet with her, will all comfortless return to the stock again, whence they came forth.

But if they finde her, or shee be brought unto them, they presently congratulate her return with continued shaking of their wings, and oral rejoycings, witnessing their present contentedness, complacency, and satisfaction, making even their joyfull con­tent in her, something more joyfull than before, as if the felt pleasure at her first return, were more delicious, and ra­vishing, by reason of the sudden change from that discontent, and distraction in their late loss to an excellency, if not extasie of delight and joy.

But if (not finding her) they return home, the next time they come forth, though in numbers a first swarm, yet not in the manner of their swarming; for the next Princess comes not forth at the will of the Commons (losing their Commander, they lose in this respect their liberty) but by petition must obtain leave of the Queen mother, as in second swarms.

Now when you perceive the Bees discontented carriage, pre­sently seek about (beginning at the stock, whence they rose, and going that way, the swarm took) and you shall un­doubtedly finde her, for shee is not alone, but encompassed with a guard which will never stir from her, though they starve in the place: Take her up therefore, removing the Bees that environed her (you may do it securely with a little stick) and carry her to the swarm. And you cannot but with wonder be­hold the sudden alteration, with what a rejoycing plaudite (their mourning being ceased) do they welcome, and entertaine her; and those that were seeking for her abroad (although some rods distant) are instantly sensible of their felicity (by their fel­lows rejoycing) and hastily return to express their content, and bear a part in the general gladness.

If a swarm light near the place where another was hived a day or two before, when you have hived it, set it ten foot di­stant from the place where the other stood, for some Bees of [Page 91] the first hived swarm, will for two or three dayes together hanker about the place, and if they finde a hive standing there, will boldly enter, supposing it their own company, and so mis­carry by the others, who take and deal with them as enemies coming to endamage them.

Swarms will the day after they are hived busily follow their labour, but the removing of them from the place where they were hived, doth not a little discourage them; if therefore the weather bee not fair, they will not stir the first day, and except it bee more than indifferent, they will not stir the second day, and so as the foul weather lasteth, droop, and grow faint, and sometimes totally miscarry.

To prevent this, the day after they are set up, when the Sun shines upon them, or howsoever about noon (except it rain) put a little honey under the hive near the mouth of it, and some at the mouth, and before the entrance (less than a spoon­full will serve) which they will quickly smell, and come down to feed on, and flye forth, and thereby bee acquainted with their new standing, and fall to work upon the first fair wea­ther.

If the weather continue cold and cloudy a week together, without a little supply they will dye, therefore every day refesh them with a little honey. After they are acquainted with their standing, you may put it into the Hive upon a peece of an old comb in the evening. They can indure four or five dayes without meat, but if the foul weather continue longer, they will hanging by one anothers legs, fall down to the bottome of the Hive, and perish; but try them not too far, but quicken them daily with a little honey, and you shall keep them strong and lusty (such close and windy weather falls out often in May) you shall gain by this loss, for the weather altering, they will not onely subsist of themselves, but by their painful labours, recompence your cost and care.

If your stocks cast a second swarm after Midsummer, the best way is to return it home again. Hive it as you do other swarms, and about six of the clock knock them out on a table before their stock, and they will go in▪ and if they come forth again (as perhaps they will) do so the second time, and if there bee occasion, the third also, but look heedfully when you first [Page 92] knock them out for the Queen Bee, and take her away, and then shall you bee sure to prevent further and future trouble. And thus shall you keep your stocks full and lusty, which otherwise were in danger of miscarrying, and the swarms (most years) would bee worth nothing.

Set the poorest swarms upon a plank, and when they have done working, dawb them round, allowing air, only through two or three quills, and set them in a dry cold place of your house, or barn, and so being little sensible of the alteration of the air, they will sleep much, and eat little.

CHAP. XV. What Flowers the Bees gather of.

IT hath been almost generally received, that Bees gather from all sorts of flowers, good, and bad, sweet, and bitter; some P San [...]lorus Thes [...]u [...]. Arist l. 11. a little, and but a little straiten this vulgar position of all kindes of flowers, both of Herbs, and Trees (saith one) except Docks and Cheesrunnet.

Aristotle curtails this a little more, and tells us that they Arist de hist. Animal▪ l 5▪ c. 19. gather of all flowers that have cells or sockets. Mr. Mouffet straitens this also, saying, They refuse no flowers, that are fra­grant, contained in cells, or sockets; but this also must bee nar­rowed into shorter bounds, as yet being too large, for of many sorts of such flowers, they meddle not with at all.

• First, Bees gather not of flowers which have deep sockets, as Batchelors-buttons, Cuckow-flowers, Cockscomb, Jasmin, Cumphilly, Dead-nettle, Wood-bettony, Wild-blew-teare, Teazil Red-hony suckle, rarely, and divers others, and yet these are more abundant with hony, than many that the Bees ga­ther of. And of these the Humble bees gather plentifully, na­ture furnishing them with larger fangs, and longer tongues than the Bees.
• 2 Ordinarily they gather not of many little or small flowers, as Rubia, Pimpernel, Scorpioides, Hares-foot, Oliver, Vero­nica, &c.
• 3 Not ordinarily of many physical Herbr, as Erisamon, [Page 93] Agrimony, Century, St. Johns-wort, Mugwort, Mother­wort, &c.
• 4 Not of bitter Herbs, as Wormwood, Lavender-cotton, Southernwood, &c. yet sometimes of Ru [...], the flower whereof is scarcely bitter.
• 5 Not of very dry flowers, as Docks, Sorrel, Mercury, Atriplex, Wheat, Rye, Oats, &c.
• 6 Not of those that have a strong stinking smell, as Smal­ledge, Hemlock, Galopsia, Crown-empereal, Cheesrunnet, &c.
• 7 Not of those that are sopo [...]iferous, and Narcotick as Mandrakes, Red-poppy, Night-shade, Black-briony, &c.
• 8 Not of those that are very cold and unctuous, as Orpine, Housl [...]ek, Prick-madam &c. for all oylie and unctuous things are hurtful to them.
• 9 Not of those that have a strong sweet smell, as Feve [...]few, Maudline, English Laurel, Myrrhe, &c.
• 10 Of very few flowers that grow in Ponds, or Rivers.
• 11 Not of those flowers, that (though they have great hol­low bodies) shut hard and close at the top or lips, as it were, as Toads-flax, Snap-dragon, Fox-gloves, which the Humble­bees will open (being stronger) and gather of.
• 12 Not of very double flowers, as double Primrose, Wall­flowers, &c. except where the leaves are very fine, as the Dent­delion; nor of such as have deep sockets, and have no strings from the bottome to the top of the flower. Nor of such whose strings, or horns extend far out of the flower, as Avens, except there bee an excrescency, or cod in the middle of the flower, as Gillow-flowers have.

Bees sometimes gather of such flowers, as are pernicious and Columel. hurtful. The Teil-tree, and the Boxe are very pestilential, so is also the Yew tree.

If they taste of the flowers of a Corn [...]ile-tree, they dye of a scowring the blowings of Elmes are discommended, and wilde Plin. l. 21. c. 12. Cowcumbers, as also Woad, which affords a foggy food that over-lades the Bees, and makes them miscarry in the fields; strow Salt under your Hives, and they will bee the stronger and lustier. Tulipas kill Bees for closing a little afternoon, the Bees that are in them are imprisoned, the sides being out-bowing, and [Page 94] smooth, they cannot get out, and will bee dead, before the next day when they open.

The Lentick tree from whence the Mastick is gathered, affords the best honey in the world, of which in the Island Sio Sands relat. lib. 1. (anciently Chios) is great plenty.

Bees gather of these flowers following, yet of some more plen­tifully than of others.

In March.

Hasel, Willow, Sallow, Enemony, Bunnikin, Daffadil, Vio­let, Gooseberry, Cornelian, Misselto, Crocus, Elme, Primrose, Pilewort, Dendelion, Spoonwort, Bears-foot, Black-thorn single Wall-flowers, &c.

In April.

Ale-hoof, Ribes, white, red, black Oak, Peach, March-mari­gold, Cole, Turnep, Sycomore, or great Maple, Ribwort, Stockgillowflower, Cow-weed, Furse, Strawberry, Broom, Beans, wilde white Enemony, Bears-ear, Ozier, Plumtree, Cherry, Pear, Apple, Crab, Barbery, Beech, Tear, Maple, Bi [...]ch, Apri­cock.

In May.

Water-cresses, Hull, Angelica, a tall rank grass Parsnep, Onion, Leek, Garlick-seeds, Dogs-tongue, white Valerian, Tamarisk, Thrift, Sage, S [...]orksbill, Mous-ear, Raspis, Charlock Marigold, small yellow Honysuckle, Poppy, Woodbind, Medlar, blew Valerian, Burnet, wilde Tansie, Archangel, both with the white and yellow flowers, called by the Tygurines, Been-sauge, or Bee-suck, Hawthorn, Elder, white Honysuckle, King-cup, Pease, double Gies.

In Iune.

Tre-trifoly with yellow knops, and another kinde of Tri­foly with long red blossomes, and a Trifoly with pale, yellow blossomes like a Lotus, but ranker, Dewbery, Blewbottle, Mothmulleine, Luteola▪ or Diers weed, white Briony, Savory, Origanum, Hysop, Pondweed with a flowre like Patience, Lang d [...]z beuf, common Thistle, Bugloss, sometimes, but sel­dome, Burrage, Parsly, Lotus, Lis [...]achia, Roses, red, Da­mask, Velvet, Henbane, Mustard-seed Sharewort, Canker­rose, Daneswort, Bindweed, Mallows, Melilot, Calamint, Cowcumber, Thyme, which onely yeeldeth Nectar. So Mr. [Page 95] Butler, who therefore findes fault with Virgil, for saying, Mr. But. fem. mon. c. 6. Crura thymo plena, but let any observe, and hee shall finde they gather as often Bee-bread as honey; and again hee saith, The Bees gather not of the Rose, the Primrose, the Clove-July­flower, the Pease, of all which they gather plentifully, but not of the Pease untill the blossome begins to wither, and the cod to put forth, and then they gather Sandaracha of it plentifully, especially in the morning.

In Iuly.

Tobacco, Love, Carduus-benedictus, Jacea, Lampsana, Penny-royal, Small Dentdelion, Sca [...]let Beans, Mayweed, Gourds, Clotbur, Live-long, Horse-mints, Skir [...]e [...]s, Yarrow, Germander, Nip, Sowthistle, single, and double July-flowers, Succory, Dill, Clematis Altera, Fenil, Filius Ante patrem, Holy-hock, French-marigold, Coriander, Lavender, Melon, Blackbery, Buck, Jacobea, Stechados.

In August.

Red Eye-bright, Knap-weed, Heath, Virga Aurea, Ivy.

In September.

You are to take notice that many of these flowers blow twice a year, as Rosemary, Archangel, Tamari [...]k, Bu [...]rage, Charlock also, although not the same roots. And some con­tinue longer than the month whereto they are ascribed, and some begin to blow a little before, but whensover they blow, the Bees gather of them, but less in Autumne than in the Spring.

Many flowers afford matter of gathering in the morning before the dew is quite exhaled, which in the heat of the day yeeld little, as the Pease, and a tall rank grass, having a stalk a foot, and a half long, with a large bushie ear.

Bees have this property, that whatsoever Flower they first be­gin with, when they goe to work, they meddle with no other Arist. de hist. Anim. l. 9 c. [...]0 that journey, but lade themselves with such meat alone as that kind yeeldeth; this is a common, but no catholique custome, for I have often observed the contrary.

It is true, if there be flowers enough near at hand, to make up their burden of that sort they begin withall, they will meddle with no other, but if they have begun to gather of a flower that likes them, and cannot finde enough to furnish them, then they wil make up their load of some other.

CHAP. XVI. Of the ordering of Bees.

IN February lift up your Hives on the one side nimbly, and with a wing wipe away all the sharings of combs, dross, dung, or whatsoever else lyes upon the stoole, which although the Bees in time would performe, yet hereby shal you save them a great deal of labour.

If your old Stocks have any crumbling, or crispie combs, take them out in the Spring, for they cannot work to them; lay the Hives on one side, having ready a fire of dried Cow-dung in a Chafingdish without a flame, the smoke wil drive the Bees in­ward, and you may securely performe it.

Some tell us of putrefaction in the combs, in regard of dead brood chilled, which combs they would have taken out; but I never met with more than the Bees could rid themselves of, ex­cept when the Bees are almost, if not altogether starved.

That they so love quiet, that they scarce endure the company Weck [...]rus de secret, Lib 8. of men (is false) and therefore must have walls built about them with holes, to see what offends them, is ridiculous, yet commended by Florentinus.

Bees are much offended with long hair on head, or face, let such therefore as must be often among them wear short hair, or be wel covered, on peril of stinging.

If a Bee have stung you in hot weather, your wisest and safest way is to depart for a while, for there issues with the sting a strong poysonful savour, which you your self may smel, but how­soever, the Bees wil readily, and knowing thereby that some of their company are wronged, wil with eagerness seek to vindi­cate the injury on whomsoever they finde present in the place, and come about you thick and threefold; there is no way to ap­pease them but one, get away as fast as you can, and when the [...]roar is over, you may securely come again.

The best time to doe any thing about your Bees, is, in the mor­ning before they stirre, or when they are new gone abroad, or in the evening▪ when they are returned from their work.

Make the mouth narrow, least the Summers heat dissolve the Virgil.

Be very careful about the doore, or entrance into your Hives, for negligence herein occasions the loss of more Bees than any o­ther neglect, from the Dor-mouse, and Tit-mouse in Winter, and the Wasp, and robbing Bees in Autumn.

Let the doors be somewhat long, but very low, not much a­bove the height of a Bee, and let them be more or less open, according to the seasons; but rather offend in leaving too nar­row an entrance than too large; a thin board in Winter cut in notches like a grate, wel fastned to the Hive, with Cow-dung and Ashes tempered together; two notches open in Winter, is enough for a good Hive, one for a poorer; for thereby they are kept more warme in Winter, and more secure from ene­mies.

When they have wrought a week in the Spring, the better Hives may have three or four notches open, and by degrees more, until they be full, and then you may take away the grates altogether until Autumne; but be sure to set them early to the old Stocks that have over-swarmed, as also to the poore swarms, and in a dry year, sooner than in a moyst, for the Waspes wil be more numerous and early, and the robbing Bees finding little abroad to busie themselves about, will be seeking to plunder poor and weak Stocks betimes.

When you see the Waspes begin to be busie, and forsake eat­ing of dead Bees, before the stooles, venter into the Hives, set up your doors to the poorer Stocks, and narrow the passage of the better with a little Cow-dung (tempered as before) that it may not be above an inch long.

If you will bee at cost, it will be very beneficial to have a hurdle made of Oziers set before your Hives, even with your stools, or else boards shelving outwards at the bottome, for the Bees to rest on when they come home weary and laden.

Mr. Levit mislikes the keeping of Hives four or five years at the most, but his reasons are weak, because (saith hee) the combs will be black and unsavoury, and the old Bees are not so good for increase and breed, as the young, nor so strong and lusty for labour; but these reasons are without reason, for blackness of the combs is no fault, as wee shewed before, and [Page 98] of the age of Bees, wee shall treat by and by, onely in a word, note that they are an annual creature, and live not beyond a year with the vantage; on the same ground, therefore all the old stocks must be taken every year.

Many things are necessary for the preservation of Bees, first, A competency of food which they will labour for, and com­pass with their own industry, except the unseasonableness of the weather, the smalness of their numbers, the treachery of ene­mies, the power of robbers, or the covetousness, or simplicity of their owners by driving them too late, or after that by reiterated swarming, they have diminished their numbers, for the recruit­ing whereof, they were well enough furnished with brood (al­though then unfledge Nymphs, yet the hopes of continuance) of which being untimely bereaved by driving, as desperate, they either forsake their Hives; or if they continue and work, yet can they not sufficiently breed, and provide themselves be­fore Winter, and therefore must starve.

It hath been inquired by some, what quantity of hony wil serve a Hive of Bees all Winter: To which question no certain answer can be returned, because of the numbers which in some Hives are more, and therefore must have more meat; and also because the Spring in some years, is more forward than in ano­ther, so that quantity that will serve in one year, will not serve in another. But I would not willingly let any stock continue, that had not five pintes at the least of hony.

Sometimes it will bee convenient to hoist up such swarms that you fear will cast, especially if Midsummer bee past, for al­though they may live, yet ordinarily they will bee weak and poor, and the stock whence they came so impoverished, that if it continues, it will scarce swarm the year following.

Raise them up by putting four Brickbats at an equal distance under the skirts of the Hive, let them go no further inwards than the verges, then dawb them up well, leaving a fitting pas­sage for them to go out of the Hive.

I like Mr. Southerns judgement to set them down again afterwards, the best time is in Ianuary. This Mr. Levit laughs at as an impossibility, supposing that they having wrought down to the board, the combs would bee crushed to­gether, and many Bees killed; but laying the Hive on the side, [Page 99] and making a smoak (as before) in a cold morning, to drive the Bees up, with a long sharp knife cut the combes a little within the Hive (as I have often done) and there will be neither danger, nor damage▪

Mr. Butler adviseth to set them down in the end of August, Mr Butler Fem. Mon. c. 3. when by the death of the old Bees, and also of the Drones, there is more room made, lest their swarming bee hindred the next year, unless they bee swarms that have wrought down to the stool, which indeed most have, and then this advice is to little purpose.

The course in our Country which most take to get some pro­fit by their Bees, is driving, out of a foolish [...]i [...]y they will not burn them, but care not much to starve them, and that without any great profit to themselves, for they usually do it after they have cast a second swarm about Midsummer, or a week after. The Bees then (besides those in the brood, which would have been a suf­ficient supply to them) being then very few, and many of them old Bees, which in a month, or a little more, will all dye, and then they will bee by much fewer; as soon as they are driven therefore, despairing by their own industry to subsist, they will leave the Hive and flye into another, so skipping for the most part, out of the Frying-pan into the fire. If they work, as some will endeavour their own preservation, yet not one of three in ordi­nary years out-live the Winter, and they being weak, are often made a prey to robbers in the Spring, or having spent their little store, then flye away; but if they out-wrastle all these difficul­ties, yet they will scarce swarm that year.

Moreover little hony at that time of the year is ordinarily to bee had; a quart, perhaps a pottle, and this is a liberal portion. Whereas if they will drive them, let them do it early before their hony is consumed by successive broods, and let them ob­serve the condition of the Spring, for thereby they may have some likelihoods whether they will do well.

I have driven ten Hives in the beginning of May (not swarm­ing the year before) all which after swarmed the same Summer, and the prime swarms did very well: Or if you will drive, take this course, when your stock hath cast a second swarm, the night following drive the old stock into the swarm, and they may do well, except it be late in the year.

[Page 100]Old stocks before they have swarmed, and early swarmes driven, seldome miscarry; I have known them driven twice in three weeks, and full of hony the second time. Nay a foolish neighbour of mine drove a swarm the third time, and had a­bove a gallon of hony at either of the two first drivings, and above three quarts the third time, but it was so late that the Bees dyed that Winter.

If you have a stock that lay out the year before, and swarmed not, and doth so the year following, and Midsummer be past, drive it, and ten to one (if the year bee indifferent it will do well.)

Now to preserve your stocks, and yet to make some advantage of your Bees, take this course (except you know a better, but thus I do) About Bartholomew-tide, I survey my swarms, and all those that I finde not by the weight competently supplied, namely with five pintes of hony at the least, I take, and I ex­amine my old stocks, especially such as have swarmed twice, or oftner, and where I finde few Bees, which you shall know, if giving the Hive a little knock with your finger on the out-side of the Hive, if the murmur bee sudden and short, then it is a signe there bee but few Bees, but if it bee smart and long, descending from the top downwards, then it is a signe of plenty.

They that have but few Bees, though they bee never so well stored with hony, yet will not continue over the next Spring, but will bee a prey to robbers; therefore it is better to take them then to lose them, and their honey also; but yet if you desire to save any that are well supplied, then drive a swarm that you in­tend to take into them, and so shall you have a good stock; and thus with Gods blessing shall you increase your Bees, and have a sufficiency of hony and wax. If you have not, you may take as many of the best as you shall think convenient.

Some prescribe to take those that are too full of hony, as (thereby) disabled to breed, and prosper the year following, but this is but a groundless supposition for ought ever I could finde, having had as good as any other, the combes being generally filled with hony to the board, which I have let stand on purpose to try whether they would breed, and never found, but such were as full of Bees the year following, as any other; for [Page 101] after working time there is a long time of eating, and if they be numerous with Bees, they wil make roome enough by bree­ding time.

The manner in a word to take Hives in the latter part of the year is by burning, which briefly you may thus doe; take an old linnen cloath and cut it into long narrow peeces, about two handfuls long, and halfe an inch broad, and then having melted beaten Brimstone, dip them therein, and having digged a hole near the Hive that you intend to take, let it be somewhat more than a foot over, and half as deep; set in the bottome of it two or three crotched sticks, into which put three or four of your raggs smeared with Brimstone, and having kindled them set the Hive over, stopping the verges somewhat close, and your Bees with the smoak wil in a short space fall down st [...]sled and dead.

For the manner of driving, it is needless that I should speak much, being wel known almost to every one.

Have a prepared Hive as near as you can, of the breadth, in the skirt, of that Hive you will drive setting it on the ground, put sheet over it, and wel fasten it with a strong pack-threadround about the Hive within an inch of the skirts, then having a Trivet [...], Payl, or Firkin ready, set the empty Hive therein with the mouth upwards, and then lift the Hive you wil drive, nimbly from the stall, and set it upon them empty, and gather up quickly the sheet that hangs down to the crown, and fasten it wel likewise with a little line, about an inch from the skirt, and turn them thus tied together, that the empty Hive may stand upwards, and knock gently with the palmes of your hands on the sides, and on the crown, sometimes in one place, and then in another, and often pause, and make a little stop, that the Bees may ascend, and reiterate your clapping againe; in half an hour they will be all, or the most of them gone up, and then carry it to the place where the other stood; if you doe it in the evening, let it stand unmeddled with all night; if in the morning, let it be before Sun; and if there be any Bees behind, when you take out the combs, sweep them off with a wing, and they wil finde their fel­lows.

Many in the Bees necessity commend and applaud feeding, when by driving unseasonably, or not seasonably uniting (as the [Page 102] Proveth is) They have broken their heads, they would give them a plaister, but for the most part too narrow and scanty for the sore.

For feeding of weak Bees, many things by many are prescri­bed, I shal be brief in the particulars, because I altogether dis­like feeding, except in the beginning of the year, through the backwardness of the Spring, some Hives (otherwise sufficiently furnished) stand in need, or some early swarmes, the weather proving tempestuous, cold, or close, sometimes for above a week together: it wil be very convenient then to relieve them, until the weather alter, and they begin to work, when they wil need no longer your supply, and without a little supply would bee so poor and feeble, that they would untimely miscarry, and dye.

The ancients commend feeding of them with Raisins, bruised Figgs; Pliny bids set Hens flesh before them, although he ac­knowledgeth that they eate no kinde of flesh, and therefore in that respect preferres them before the Hornet, and the Waspe.

The Gentleman that wrote the first large Letter in Master Hartlibs Legacy, a wel-wisher to Bees, although little skilled, Mr. Hartlibs Legacy. (as it appears by his Projects) in the nature or ordering of them, taxeth a general deficiency in this Kingdome in this re­spect, as if we were more negligent, or ignorant than some of o­ther Countries; for the glory of our Nation let me plead (which he ignorantly traduceth)

The knowledge of Bees was never truly communicated to the World by any but by English men; Mr. Southerne brake the ice, then followed Master Levit, who wrote more than fifty years since: though he was published long after Mr, Butler: Mr. Levit, I say, not the Father of the publisher, but the Grand­father (perhaps his Grand-child knew not so much) and I que­stion not but Mr Butler was acquainted with his Book, for it was in divers mens hands though not printed.

After him Mr. Butler wrote singularly wel (although in some things defective, and no question but after Ages may adde more, but I wil not be too bitter, not doubting of the Gentle­mans good meaning, but advise him, and all others in this, or any other subject, not to urge Eutopian conceits, but such things [Page 103] as out of experience they have some probable grounds for, Ne sutor ultra crepidam, all Countries produce not an equal store of every commodity; that other Countries abound more with Ho­ny, is not because they abound in skil, Scandia is more plentiful, because after the great snowes that lye all Winter on the ground, and keep it warme, which once dissolved, the earth is presently embroidered with a garment of Flowers in greater plen­ty, variety, and continuance than most Countries afford; and the long dayes are another advantage, especially the weather not being so variable as with us, and a principal cause of their in­crease is the extreame cold in Winter, which holds them in a perpetual sleep, so that they eate little after they leave working, and the earth with the Winters Snow and Raine is thorowly moystned, that drought seldome proves injurious to them, as it is often with us.

But for his conceits of feeding Bees with sweet compositions of divers things besides Hony, because cheaper; we are to know, that although they wil eate of all kinds of sweet things, yet are they not so proper and natural as Hony, neither wil they when they stand in need of feeding extract Hony out of them, as hee supposeth, and replenish their Combs, no nor car [...]y at such times Hony which they feed on into their Combs; and when they can doe this, namely, when they are lusty, and the weather warme, they rather gather it abroad (and save your cost and charges) but suppose those compositions were beneficial, yet not to the old Stocks that are likely to miscarry, for they for the most part have already more meat than mouthes, but yet it might preserve the swarmes.

I have shewed a cheaper and safer way, by uniting, and for casual wants, in regard of the continuance of cold and bad wea­ther, Hony is more natural.

And whereas Mr. Southerne objects against old Hony, that it wil make them scou [...]e, this is but a fancy, I yearly upon occasi­ons experiment it, but never found that inconvenience.

He objects further, If they be fed, they wil fall to robbing of others, but herein also he was mistaken; Bees that stand in need of feeding are seldome so lusty, never so vent [...]ous to plunder o­thers, but rather in continual danger to be robbed by others of that little they have, which feeding, not duly performed, readily exposeth them unto.

[Page 104]The Gentleman in Mr. Hartlibs Legacy, desireth to save the poor swarmes by feeding, and with the least charges that might be, whereas not one of six (never so carefully fed) that are desperately poor, can be preserved, and if they doe live and e­scape the robbers, and not forsake their Hives, which most of them wil doe, finding their numbers small, yet will they not swarme if they live out the Summer, so that the charges besides the trouble will double the profit.

When you have occasion to feed, if you have not reserved Combs on purpose when you took your Bees, spread Hony upon a dry combe, and put it under the Hive in the evening, but re­member to take it away in the morning, if any be left, or shut them up until they have eaten all, least the robbing Bees finde it, and not contented therewith, carry away also that little they have in the combes, I would have feeding begun (where it is necessary) before an absolute want, least they bee so poor and weak that they cannot come down; if any happen so to be, then turne up the mouth of the Hive in the heat of the Sun, or near a Fire, and drop a little liquid hony among them.

I have recovered swarmes shut in by long cold weather, where not a Bee hath been able to stirre, and continuing it after with a little hony put under the Hive until the charge of the weather, they have done very wel that year.

Bees wil sometimes suck the sweetness of rotten Pears, some­times full ripe Grapes, but yet a very few among a great many with us.

In Sicilia there be Grapes of which they make Muskatell▪ Fache [...]lus de reb. Siculis, l. 1. prior decad. which are therefore called the Bee-grape, because the Bees gree­dily feed upon them, as also Flies.

Mr. Butler counsels, that you cut asunder such Stocks as you intend to preserve (almost even with the Bees) if they have not wrought within a handful of the stoole, and then to set them down, making them a new door, that thus they may be warmer in the winter.

This is a course both wastful and useless, for I never had any stock, if it were supplied with meat, that miscarried, although the Bees had not wrought half way down. And to prevent it, in ordinary years sit your Hives according to the greatness or smal­ness of your swarms; This way, if otherwise profitable, cannot [Page 97] be performed without destruction of your Hives, and the loss and trouble of your Bees, and the Stock wil be so small, that except you adde another, and raise it, the swarme wil be worth nothing.

To prevent the cold, daub up the skirts round, and let the entrance be very small.

A watering place near your Bee-garden is very necessary, they cannot subsist without it.

Without it some say, they can neither make their Combes, Columel de re rust. 9 l. c. 5. nor yet their Hony; but the use is not so generall, but when they feed on Bee-bread (which is hot and dry) they cannot bee without it, and they love not to goe farre for it.

Into your running or standing water many prescribe to cast in stones, somewhat elevated above the water:

But peeces of Wood, or Boards, entred into the water, and set shelving, or leaning towards the North are much better, the stones being too cold in the spring; but if you can bare the banks of the North-side of your Pond of all bushes, and grasse shelving towards the water, where they may drink under the Wind, and in the heat of the Sun, and suck it out of the earth above the water, which they rather desire, than to suck the pure water it self.

But if you have neither Pond, nor River within twenty rodds of your Bee-garden, set water in wooden troughs in your Gar­den, and have light thin moveable boards, or corks within your troughs, that may rise and fall with the water, let them have small clefts, or many little holes bored through them, that the Bees may stand on the boards and drink; keep Hens and Chick­ens, [Page 106] especially Ducklings from these troughs, for they will de­stroy your Bees.

Mr. Butler enumerating the several actions of Bees in warme dayes in Winter, among others saith, they drink, but he was de­ceived, for although sometimes in Ianuary they gather a little Bee-bread, yet until they plentifully feed of it, they drink not, for while they feed on Nectar which is hot and moyster than Bee-bread, they need it not, but the other being more hot and dry, makes them exceeding thirsty.

Bees will be very much about sinkes, and where greasie water is thrown, nay they rather delight to drink out of Sawpits and holes where the water is thick and troubled, than out of Ponds, though nearer them; and when they water out of Ponds, they delight (as I said) to extract the water from the moystned earth near the Ponds, or Rivers brinkes, than to suck or drink of the purer water it self, which yet some will.

Mr. Remnant supposeth, that they suck out of sinkes, or old di [...]ches, and places that incline to Salt-peter, for want of salt water, wherewith saith he they season their Hony, which I be­leeve not, but rather that they may be more vigorous and lusty, and therefore salt is prescribed to be laid under weak Stocks; hee saith, it is in the defect of Salt water, but where they are near the Salt they use it.

And he further saith, they season their Hony with salt water, and in the want of it, with brackish water thus extracted, there­fore he commends the setting of salt water or brine near them; but they neither use salt water about their Hony, nor yet fresh, (as Columella) but for the reason before mentioned,

In Summer they wil drink securely upon the Duck-sheard, and other thick weedes in the middle of Ponds; the best time to remove Bees, if you are to carry them farre is in the end of Ianuary, although if you be necessitated, you may do it well e­nough presently after Mi [...]aelmas.

A little before you take them from their standing, lift up a little the skirts of the Hive, and put three or four Tile-sheards under the Verges, that (the Hives standing somewhat above the board) all the Bees may ascend, otherwise some wil be left on the bottome of the stoole, which will be lost; then spread a sheet upon the ground before it, and nimbly take it off, and set it [Page 107] upon the middle of the sheet, and gathering it up round, tye it close above the crown with a noose, tye it also about the middle with a Pack-thred, then put a Cool staffe through the noose (bee sure it bee well tyed) it must hang perpendicular, not swaying one way, or other. Let it bee carried between two to the place whither you intend it, when you come there, set it down, but open it not presently, for the Bees will bee somewhat disturbed with the motion, and ready to flye forth; it is best to set it up in the heat of the day, that if any suddenly flye forth, they may not bee chilled with the cold, but after a little flying about, they may return to it again; but if the weather bee close and still, then set it up in the evening, and stop it up close (leaving breathing holes) untill a faire day, and then open the door.

CHAP. XVII. Of Bees breathing.

AFter a long condescension to the capacities of the Vulgar, to whom almost peculiarly this large practical Discourse appertains: I will now endeavour to set an edge upon, if not, to satisfie the appetites of the more Judicious, though not with a banquet of Rarities, yet with a dish or two of Sweet-meats (according to promise) as soon as I can provide them.

There is a necessity of refrigeration from without, by aire Arist. de par­tibus Animal. l. 3. c. 6. Arist. de Spirat. or water. Now the grand inquity is, How Insects (in particular Bees) are refrigerated. The Philosophers before Aristotle, held that all creatures breathed, as Democritus, Diogenes, An [...]xa­g [...]ras.

Pliny professeth that hee accords not with Aristotle in Plin Nat. hist. l. 9. c. 7. this particular, that Fishes breathed not, because they did hear and smell.

I will speak one word to this (although out of my sphere) and but a word, lest I conjure up learned Scalagers ghost to op­pose mee, That Fishes breath is evident to sense, I have seen them often come up to the top of the water, and a little eleva­ting their heads above, draw it in with the water, and with [Page 100] many bubbles return it again, some at the Gills, but the greater part at the mouth.

And that they cannot live without aire, thus, In great Frosts they cannot long continue though they have water, except the Ice bee broken, and then they will presently come to the hole for aire, so that sometimes you may take them out with your hands. And if it be some dayes delayed, they will turn up their bellies in the holes as quite spent, yet by the benefit of the aire, many of them recover, but if it bee altogether neglected, in a great Frost most Pond-fish will dye.

Rondele [...]ius holds, That not onely Fishes, but Insects also Rondel. de pisc bus l. 4. breath (although without lungs) in particular Bees, because of the sound, and murmure that they make, and because they smell.

Cardan affirms, That all living creatures breath either openly Cardan. de subtil. l. 12. or secretly, manifestly such as have lungs, more hiddenly which have gills; and that is must obscure by palpitation, and there­fore whereas Aristotle denies such creatures that have no lungs to breathe, hee understands thereby a perfect breathing, and therefore saith, The sound of Bees is caused by the aire, which they receive and draw in; why not the same instrument that draws it in return it? But this opinion, although Aristotle's Scaliger labours to undermine, but to little purpose. Hee sup­poseth it to bee caused by the shaking of their wings. This both Aristotle, and H [...]lychius before him propounded, but did not conclude of; Mr. Muffet saith, It is a secret not to bee de­termined of. The L. Verulam supposeth the humming sound of Bees (which is an un qual buzzing) to bee from the motion of I. Verul▪ silva­si. var. cent. 1. 175. their wings, because it is not heard, but when they stir, I deny not but the sound [...]s more shrill and audible thereby, but not onely caused therewith.

First, because in a Hiv [...] full of Pees, where they lye crowded up thick together in the Winter between the combs, without room to dilate their wings, not at all to shake them, you shall have a sudden smart sound in an instant from the place touched, descending to the bottome from all the Bees, as it were com­plaining.

Secondly, by the incouragement of the Queen Bee, when two swarms are united, and so mingled together, that either of [Page 101] them being encompassed with their whole troop, and having no room to stir, and shake their wings (being each of them in the center of their regiment) but as they are in the conflict moved with the whole body; yet may they bee heard audibly some­times a rod from the Hive a great while together, without inter­mission, each encouraging her army to stand to her, and for her.

Thirdly, If their sound were caused by the agitation of their wings only, it could not bee various and changed, but onely smaller, or greater, but both Aristotle and Scaliger acknow­ledge, that they change their voyce; and if they did not, yet Arist de hist. l. 9. c. 40. is it so evident to sense, that but coming among them, by their different voyces, it may bee known whether they mourn or re­joyce, work or sight.

Fourthly, If their sound were caused by the agitation of their wings, then according to the largeness of their wings should bee the greatness of their sound, but this is not so; the Queen Bees wings are no bigger than a common Bees, but her sound is more than ten times lowder and greater.

I might adde that Crickets sing, and their voyces are heard very far, and yet have no wings to shake; nay they move not their bodies when they sing, as I have often observed, and as soon as they stir, they give over singing.

In a word, as to a Musitian that playes on a Flute, or such like Wind-instrument, there is required skilfulness in the outward touch of his instrument, and also wind to bee inspired, without which hee cannot possibly strike the ear, or please the sense with any melodious noise, so do I conceive in some respects the hum­ming noise of the Bees, is caused both by the outward motion of their wings, and also by an inward motion, that I say, not inspiration.

Aristotle was very wavering what to determine concerning their sound, sometimes hee saith, they make a noise; sometimes, hee grants they have a voice, and hee hath no sooner granted it, but would fain bite it in again if hee could, as overthrowing this Arist. de hist. l. 9, c. 40. position, that they breathe not; Hear what hee saith, they change their voyce, when they swarm they have a proper and peculiar voyce, but whether they have a voyce or not, is not yet through­ly understood in regard of the difficulty.

[Page 110]Thus is this grand Philosopher unresolved, it is a difficulty, hee cannot tell what to determine; but hee hath taken up ano­ther opinion, and although hee bee somewhat convinced of the vanity of it, yet hee is loath to retract, hee will rather set his wit upon the Ten [...]ers, and seign some new distinction, sometimes they make a sound, sometimes they have a voyce.

Small and blood-less creatures are externally cooled by the Arist de Spir [...]t. ambientaire, or water, neither is it necessary that the air should penetrate them, because of the weakness of their natural heat; but the coldest creatures need refrigeration, for they have a heart, as the Snail, which is visible to all men upon dissection, and much more hot creatures, as Bees are, which have also a heart, although it bee not easily discerned by prejudicate eyes.

Winged creatures when they move themselves by the attri­tion Arist. de Som­no & Vigil. Arist. de hist. l. 4 c. 7. of the aire sliding into their belly, make a noise.

And again, Insects have no voyce, but make a sound onely by the admission of the aire, not emission, and Bees, and all other Insects lift themselves up with their wings, and presently con­tract themselves when there is made a sound by the attrition of the aire taken in, but not constant to himself, hee saith in another place, There is an innate implanted aire in the transverse inclo­sure, Arist. de Spirat. which being lifted up, and contracted, causeth thereby a smiting on the little membrane, and hence saith hee is their sound.

Scaliger saith, It is from a membrane including the aire, and Scalig. com. in Arist. de hist. l. 4 c. 7. Magirus Phy­siol. L. Ve [...]ul. Silva Sil. cent. 2. 133 the motion of the external members.

Magirus saith, Their noise is not made by a return of the aire, but by an agitation of an inward not outward aire.

Another supposeth sounds, and therefore voyces may bee made without aire. It is certain, saith hee, howsoever it cross the received opinion, that sounds bee created without aire, though aire bee the most favourable deferent of sounds. Take a vessel of water, and knap a pair of tongs some depth within the water, and you shall hear the sound of the tongs well enough, and not much diminist [...]ed, and yet there is no aire at all present. What if I should say there is aire in the water, be­cause there is in it a sound made?

Hot creatures as Bees, desire a greater refrigeration: Bees Arist. de Spirat. [Page 111] like to those creatures that breathe, do make a sound ( spiritu) with the aire or spirit, for when the native, which is (as before) implanted in the transverse enclosure, is lifted up and contracted, then is caused an attrition of the membrane; For they do not otherwise move this part, then other Animals draw aire with their lungs from without, and Fishes by the agitation of their Gills.

Scaliger is for transpiration; and so Basil, hee saith, That Basil Hexain. Hon [...]ll. 8. Insects breathe not, being without lungs, bu [...] were nourished by aire in the external parts, and his reason is, if they bee dipt or smeared with oyl, they presently dye, the passages or pores being stopt, but yet saith hee, If they bee presently washed Alexand. Aphrodis. l. 1. Problem. 6 2. with water (others say Vinegar) the passages being opened, they will live; and with him accord divers others.

To this I answer, That it is granted that oyl kills Bees, and almost all other Insects being naturally mortal to them, and wash them after with what you will they will, neither revive, not recover, but almost as suddenly dye (though but a part of their body bee smeared with oyl) as if they were cast on hot embers. And that it is not, because of the stopping of the passages of the aire, appears thus: Let Bees bee drowned in honey, which is more viscous and clammy than oyl, yet if they bee timely taken out, they will dry themselves, or bee suckt dry by their fellows, and recover.

Now at last you cannot but take notice how various they are in their opinions, that deny breathing to Bees, [...]r so to make a noise, they cannot but acknowledge a necessity of refrige­ration.

Aristotle sometimes by the admission, not emission of aires sometimes by a native implanted aire.

Scaliger from a membrane including the aire, and the motion of the external members.

Magirus by an agitation of an inward aire onely, but whether native, or adventitious, hee expresseth not.

L. Verulam sometimes, that a sound may bee made without aire, sometimes by the motion of their wings.

Basil that they are cooled by transpiration, and therefore by an aire so admitted, must make their noise. Thus wilfully de­viating from, and denying a truth, they are quickly be-wildred in a th [...]cket of errors.

[Page 104]Now let us hear their arguments why they suppose them not to breath, Aldrovandus saith, Insects, neither breathe, nor Aldrovand. proleg [...]m▪ in lib. de in­ [...]ectis. need breathing, because a breathing faculty is bestowed on crea­tures which have lungs, but Insects being blood-less are cold, and therefore want not refrigeration, but are sufficiently cooled by a native aire, or externally by transpiration; I answer many of them (if any) are not blood-less, for they have a heart which the Philosopher accounts the original of blood. And if they have a heart ( Aldrovand▪ acknowledgeth) they have lungs also, and stand in need of great refrigeration. And that Bees are hot creatures, Aristotle affirms. Arist. de Spir.

Secondly, If they breathed, as they drew in breath, they must also return it, which could not bee done but by some inward in­strument; but all Insects are without bowels (according to Aristotle) but this is manifestly untrue; dissect a large Gras­hopper, the bowels are visible to him that hath but half an eye; and so also in Humble-bees, and in many other Insects.

In some that are very small, they are not distinctly visible; but it follows not therefore that they are without them, no more than because they want the visible organs of hearing and smel­ling, that therefore they neither hear, nor smell; both which senses almost all natures secretaries acknowledge to bee in them. And yet who is able to point out the instruments. Aldrovand. hath some other reason, but all built on the former foundation, which miscarrying, they must needs go to the ground.

Scaliger his main argument that they breathe not, is, because Seal. de subtil. exercitat. 173. they need not a refrigeration of their heat having no heart; but this being manifest to sense, as learned Dr. Harvey avers, the ar­gument falls to the ground.

Others deny that Insects breathe, and their reason is, because there is no breathing knot, or turning in the inward intrall, that is to say a membrane like to the lungs, whereby the aire is drawn in, and therefore some hold that they live as plants; but there is a great difference whether any thing breathes or lives. Others convinced of the vanity of this conceit, hold that they have some­thing analogous, namely by transpiration.

Aristotle saith Bees breathe not, because they continue long Arist. de Spir. in the water. But not long under the water; so long as by beating with their wings, they keep their heads out, they pre­serve [Page 105] themselves; but their wings being once thorough wet, they quickly drown.

And that they receive water into their bodies, appears, be­cause when they dye suffocated in the water, they are greater than when they are alive, whereas if they dye otherwise, they shrink up, and are less.

Aristotle, and also Scaliger, adde another reason, they will, Idem de Spi­rat. covered with ashes revive, perhaps if they have not been long drowned, with heat they will recover, as they will if they bee chilled near twenty hours, but ashes are so far from reviving of them, that if they bee alive and lusty, they would rather kill them; for dust (much more ashes) will, if they go a little upon it, so fur their dew-clawed feet, that it will indispose them to flye.

Breathing, saith Scaliger is seen by motion, or perceived by Scalig. de sub­til. exercitat. 173. touch, by the pulse, or understood by the voyce, and all there wayes more or less, may it appear that Bees breathe.

But it may bee objected, that they have no nostrils to re­ceive breath by.

I answer, They breathe by their mouth, Aristotle saith, the Arist. de par­tibus Animal. l. 3. c. 1. Arist de Spir. mouth i [...] for many uses, for divers creatures do breathe with it. For breathing is not a proper work of the nostrils, but creatures breathe, partly by the nostrils, partly by the mouth.

But it is further objected, wee see no lungs: I answer, in fowls the lungs are small, and but like a membrane; surely then in such small flying creatures as Bees, they are not visible.

But to conclude they have no lungs, because wee see none, Arist de parti­bu [...] Animal. l. 4. c 6. were but a weak arguing. In some creatures denied to breathe, we see them, and perhaps with a good multiplying glass, might see in these; by the same reason wee might deny they hear or smell, because wee see no organs (as before) whereby they perform it, and yet nothing is more certain.

That Bees breathe, Mr. Butler affirms, but it was a question Butler Fem. Mo [...]. c. 7. hee disputed not, but relating how after they have been dead a whole day (being chilled wi [...]h cold) although, saith hee, they be quite dead, without sense, motion, and breath, you may, if you bee disposed, revive them with the warmth of your hand (but look to your selves, for many when they begin to revive, will ingratefully sting.) And this their reviving cannot▪ but al­most [Page 106] seem a miracle unto you, for presently their spirits return­ing, you shall see them begin to pant and breathe, and anon they will flye away as lusty as the best.

But to come to arguments, That Bees breathe is evident by their panting and palpitation; I mean not when they are in the condition of prisoners, and violently held or detained, for with Scaliger I acknowledge, that Bees or flyts captivated, pal­pitation is not breathing, but a striving to escape.

Bees when they return from their work are often so weary (as men out of breath) that they are necessitated to rest them­selves near the Hive, untill they have recollected their spirits, and gotten, by a little rest, new strength, at first panting more quick and short, but by and by fetching as it were a longer breath, untill at last they pant little, if at all.

Secondly, It appears by their swearing at the Hive-door, a moist vapour is visible at the door of a good Hive in the morn­ing, sometimes in drops of water. As Bears in Russia, while they sleep in Winter, yet are found by the Hunters, by the dis­solved snow turned into isycles on the boughs of the trees under which they lye, caused by their continued breath­ing.

Thirdly, because if a full Hive bee close shut up that no aire enters, they will quickly bee suffocated and dye; whereas indeed is [...] there be but few Bees, they will continue the longer enclosed, a circum-ambient aire in the mean time refrigerating, and cool­ing them.

Fourthly, if you stop their throats, Aristotle acknowledgeth Arist de Spirat. they will bee strangled.

Fifthly, when they are chilled with cold, lay them in the warm Sun, or near a fire, or if you dare venture, hold them in your hand, and you shall see them begin first a little to stir, then to pant, and the longer more strongly, untill they remit it by de­grees as they recover life.

But I trifle out the time to prove by arguments to the ear, a thing to visible to the eye. Hold your hand near to the mouth of a full Hive, and that in the night when they are supposed to sleep, and not to stir, and you shall feel a cool aire come from them. Nay hold a feather, and you shall see it fly to and fro, as if it would be blown away.

[Page 107]Some affirm, that insects have no blood, because they have to heart nor liver, Pliny was of opinion, that though they had no blood, ye [...] somewhat analogous or equivalent, for whatso­ever is the vital humor is its blood. Learned Doctor Har [...]y in his Dr H [...]r. exer­citat. anatom. anatomical lectures, openly affirmed, that Bees have a heart, (I heard him) which also hee hath since published, although Dr. Primrose will scarce acknowledge it, pretending his weak eye-sight, but this being asserted and confirmed by such unde­niable experience, I readily subscribe they have a heart, and Arist. de gene. idem de patt [...]b­ani l. 3. c. 4. therefore a liver, and therefore blood, for the heart is the foun­tain of blood, and hath first blood, and Creatures which have blood have a l [...]ver.

Aldrovandus citing Aristotle saith, all creatures have both a Aldrov. [...] proleg [...]m. in lib. de insecti [...]. heart and also a liver, one for the Original of heat, and the o­ther for the concocting of their meat, And again citing Aristo­tle de partibus animalium lib. 3. hee hath these words, corde ca­vens nu [...]um animal unquam or [...]um est. No Creature was ever produced without a heart: and there is good reason for this assertion, seeing the heart in Aristotles judgement is the Ori­ginal of life, heat, blood, sense, and motion, and nature doth suppeditate breathing or refrigeration for the benefit or cool­ing of the heat in the heart.

All Creatures which have blood have a heart, and why not, all Creatures which have a heart have blood? but in little crea­tures Arist. de hist. animal. lib. 3 c. 10. the blood is so obscure, that it cannot bee seen as in greater, but onely in the heart (not alwaies there) because of the thinnesse of the blood and the veins, are so little and small, that they can scarce if at all bee perceived, but the heart is the beginning of the veins, and the Original, and fountain of Arist. de somn [...] et Vigil. blood, and (as hee saith) the beginning of sense, for living crea­tures have the beginning of sense, where they have the beginning of motion.

But yet notwithstanding all this, the liver and the heart is so De Har. de gener [...]t. ani­mal, [...]. farre from being the author and fountain of blood (which yet A­ristitle, and all Physitians affirm) th [...]r the contrary plainly ap­pears in the fabrick of the Chicken in the egg, namely, that the blood is the mother of the heart and the liver, which Paystrians seem to confesse unawares, when they determine the Parenchy­ma of the Liver to bee a certain flowing of blood, as [...]f nothing [Page 108] else were there but coagulated blood, and that the heart (saith Idem in eod. lib. exerc [...]tat. 19 hee) is not the author of blood, appears, because his substance or parenchyma is produced, sometimes after the blood, and is super added to the beating vesicles.

Now seeing it is so apparent that Bees have a heart; then it must follow necessarily, that they must have lungs also (which Aldrovandus grants) that these receiving and returning aire may refrigerate the heart, now the lungs receive the Original of their motion from the heart, and with his fulnesse and emptiness as it is contracted and enlarged, makes way for the egresse or ingresse of air, when it is lifted up, the air comes in, and when it is contracted it goeth forth.

That some insects have lungs, Aristotle doth implicitely Arist. de Spi­rat. grant, for hee saith, pulmones habent quae in lucem fae [...]um jam conceptum profe [...]unt; such creatures have lungs which bring forth a living creature conceived in them. Now that some insect [...] do so, is undeniable. Scaliger affirms it of a certain sort of flie, of which wee spake before, and it shall bee further confirmed by a Scalig. de sub­til. exerc [...]tat. 191 discourse of the claw-tailed humble Bee, when wee speak of Humble Bees.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Bees temperature, Sleep, Age.

ARistotle affirms most insects to bee of a cold temper, his reason is, because they breathe not, and to this N. Leoni­cus Nicol [...]us Leonicus in quaestion. na­tural. 43 subscribes, and saith all insects need little food; because they have small bodies, and therefore are satisfied with little, or ra­ther saith hee, because they are cold and bloodlesse, now crea­tures which are hot, desire much refreshing, and quickly digest Aldrovan. prol [...]m in lib. de insectit. what they ea [...]. So Aldrovand. Insects are sufflced with little meat, not so much for their smalnesse as their coldnesse. That this may bee true of some I will not deny, but not of Bees, Aristo. de Spi­rat. they are hot creatures, and desire much refreshing, and quickly digest what they eat. Indeed they are very liberal feeders; who­soever shall observe the abundance of Bee-bread that is daily brought into a good hive, which they spend almost as fast as [Page 109] they get (besides honey) and also considers, how much they eat abroad when they gather, cannot but acknowledge that they are great eaters. And Aldrovandus upon experience affirms, that many insects are hot, and Bees in particular, and his reason is, be­cause they grieve and violently pain those that they sting. In­sects L. Verul. Silv [...]. Si [...] cont. 7. 697. have been noted by the Ancients to feed little, but this hath not been diligently observed, for Grashoppers eat up the green of whole Countries; and silk-worms devour leafs swife­ly, and Bees eat in great quantity according to their bodies; which is evident to any that shall observe, what store they carry daily into their Hives, and what little increase there is some­times, after three months laborious constant working.

It is true, that creatures that sleep and rest much, eate little in those times, as Bats, Dormice, and Bees, But saith Cardan Card. de Sub­til. lib. 9. it is necessary, that Creatures that sleep much, feed much, and by the vertue of the meat formerly eaten in abundance, subsist when they sleep.

All creatures almost, more or less sleep, yea insects sleep somns tamen breviutuntur, but they sleep but a little saith A­ristotle, Arist de Som­no et Vigil. surely if at all a great deal, the brain is chiefly the cause of sleep, and such creatures as have not a brain, sleep not. Bees sleep saith Aristitle, and hee proves it because they are quiet, as hee saith, all night and make no noise, and they cease not Arist. de som­no. Idem in eodem. Plin. nat, hist. l. 11 c 3 [...]. Arist de Hist [...]. l. 4. c▪ 10 from motion, because they are weak sighted and not able to move, bring a light they stir not, saith hee, but this is false, for they will flye after and into a Candle, or light, like a moth, and burn themselves, but suppose they did not stirre with a light, yet were the argument of no force, they stir not at a light, and therefore sleep, for wee know that many fowls are taken in the night with a light, at which they stir not, although they bee a­wake, because they see nothing beyond or beside the light.

That they sleep from the beginning of winter to the rising of of Arcturus sixty daies together, and eat nothing at all as Pl [...]ny affirms, is not true with us, perhaps in Northern Countries, where the cold is more intense, they feed little, and sleep for a longer space, which is a principall reason of their so great plenty of Hony. The more temperate winters with us, occasion if there be not the larger provision, a great decay of Bees. For every [Page 110] warm and sun-shine day, they will flye abroad, and play, and empty themselves, and thereby getting good stomacks return home and feed: whereas gloomy cold and close weather, shuts them in and saves stover, and therefore a smaller propor­tion will sufficiently supply them untill the gathering sea­son.

That they sleep when they are abroad out of their Hives (on their backs) is a ridiculous fable, least the dew should wet or prejudice their wings, and hinder their flight when they awake, as Aldrovandus, and other deliver from the Ancients. Aldrov. de in­sect. lib. 1 And suppose that they should observe this course, yet could they not accomplish their purpose, for from the vepour arising from the earth their wings would bee as much if not more wet, then if they should rest on their feet: howsoever their wings be­ing slimy and (as it were) unctuous, the wet would not much stay upon them.

Concerning the age of Bees, diverse have been the opinions, some giving them a longer, some a shorter life, Aristotle saith, Arist. de hist. anim. l. 5. c. 12 Plin l. 9. c. 3. Cardan. de variet. rerum. c. 18. Moufet. thea [...]. insect. l. [...]. c. 3 they live six or seven years at the most. Pliny, that they never exceed ten, no not by succession. Columell [...] also saith the same, Carda [...]e saith; strong Bees may continue twelve years. Mr. Remnant saith, if they continue in health three yeare, they may stand twenty, Mouffes supposeth, that if they be well [...]a [...]ed for, and cured of their distempers, they may live thirty years, and tells us that at Hanworth, hee knew a stock continued in the seeling of the house of the Dutchesse of Sommerse [...]: more than three decads of years, and swarmed four times almost every year and therefore doubts with Alberius whether they ever dye of age.

The truth is, notwithstanding these mens opinions, that Bees live but a year and a quarter at the most, for those Bees that seem in May lusty, full, brown, smooth, well winged, will by the end of Iuly following begin to wither, become lesse, look gray, and have their wings [...]ottered and torn, and bee all dead before the end of August. And although their life seem short, yet is it more then double to the Droans, but by succession they may continue many years.

Now what is to bee said concerning the life of the Queen Bee, it is a que [...]e never propounded by any (for ought I know) for [Page 111] most men concluding that the Bees live many years, have sup­posed the Queen Bee to continue as long, and her life to bee of an equal extent and date with theirs. Mr. Butler that first published the Bees to bee birds of a years continuance, and somewhat more, yet started not this scruple.

It is well known, that some Hives continue tea, nay twenty years, and more, what shall we suppose of the Queen Bee, doth shee survive ten, nay twenty generations; or how comes there a succession of Rulers? I have propounded a question, wherein I shall scarce satisfie my self, it is not strange therefore, if I leave others unreso'ved.

It is manifest that the Hony Bees are but yearly creatures, and the reason of their short life is their unwearied labours, by daily flying abroad, incessant working, and ponderous burdens, they waste themselves, and wear their wings, which could they renew as the Eagle her bill, they might for ought I know live many years. Now the Queen Bee not working at all, seldome flying abroad, and then not far, not so much in a year, as a Hony Bee in an hour, never tears her wing [...], wastes her strength, nor makes her self old with labour, so that it is more than probable, that she may live many years.

Otherwise you must suppose her miscarriage ordinarily to be, when her Infants are in their prime, and not departed from her, the elder being able, and ready to succeed her, for if she should miscarry a [...] other times before their birth, or after their [...]hery, the whole stock must needs miscarry.

CHAP. XIX. Of Bees fighting and rebbing.

BEes when they are abroad at their work, or remote from Arist de hist. lib. 9. c. 40. their Hives and common treasure, are very gentle and peaceable, so that in their private wrongs, how ever you use them, they will not resist, if by any means they can get away, sometimes at their waterings they will contest one with ano­ther, but are quickly quieted, and parted, whereas at their Hives they are fierce and surious, they will neither give, nor take quarter.

[Page 112]Upon the union of two swarms, sometimes (but it is rare) there is at first, especially if the companies bee somewhat equal, a violent charging each of other, and the Leaders (for other ex­traordinary Trumpeters have they none) with a shrill and loud noise animate and encourage their several companies boldly to stand to it, and not without cause, for it is their safety, or de­struction that all the conflict is for, and as soon as they conclude who shall govern, which for the most part is determined in few hours, then they will all cheerfully as one body, live and love together.

Aristotle writes of certain Serpents in Mes [...]potamia which do great mischief to strangers, but do no hurt at all to the inhabitants: And Mr. Herber [...] tells us, Cashan in Par [...]hia, is much insested with Scorpions, but a finger long, but of great terror in the Mr. Herbert. sting, inflaming, such they prick with their invenomed arrow so highly, that some dye, none avoid madness a whole day, but which is remarkable, they never hurt a stranger; but Bees irri­tated near their Hives, are at equal enmity with strangers, and domesticks; such as are daily conversant with them, if they bee but a little provoked, shall finde no favour, so that no creature is Avicen. so violent and revengefull; but although their spight and malice in their rage is as much to men and beasts, as to their own kinde, yet seldome do they work an equal hurt and mischief; and in­deed the opposition is bitterest between those that are nearest, for there is a special implacable hatred.

When two swarms settle together, and eagerly bid defiance each to other (this falls out seldome, yet sometimes) alwayes expect a martial and deadly skirmish.

When a company with their Leader forsake their own Hive, and enter into another, their difference is irreconcileable, their hostility unappeaseable, but by the death of one of the Com­manders; for things that are in their nature contrary, can never be reconciled, as two Commanders in a Hive.

I had once two large swarms, that rose almost immediately [Page 113] one after the other, and before the first were fully setled, the last came and se led with them; and began presently to kill each other most desperately. As soon as I had notice of it, I caused them to bee hived that were yet alive, half being slain in little more then a quarter of an hour; but the remainder being hived, yet ceased not their quarrel (although I threw strong drink upon them, and did what I could to appease them) yet they still conti­nued the battel, that before night there was not above a pin [...]e left.

But although two companies upon their congress and coming together with equal forces bee thus desperately cruel; yet when they rob, and plunder, they shew less rage and serity, but are not less mischievous and hurtful.

Bees are the most dangerous enemies to Bees, they have ma­ny other, but none so hurtfull.

Some are too favourable in their censures, and clear them Aris [...]. de hist. Animal. l 9. c 64. Scalig. com. in loc. from robbery. Bees, saith Aristotle, hunt after nothing, but labouring painfully, gather all they possess. And Scaliger gives a reason for it, because they feed not on flesh, nor hunt a­broad to plunder other, and therefore expect a reciprocal car­riage from others; but by his leave, no greater robbers of Bees, than Bees, so that though hee return an Ignoramus to this bill of robbery put up against them, yet upon better evidence I must finde it.

The greatest danger that befalls the Bees, comes where it should least come, from the Bees themselves. Bees are loving and sociable creatures, and therefore wee might think should converse one with another in love and peace; but instead of support and protection, they do finde ruine and destruction from their own kinde.

Pliny saith, when their provision fails, they invade their neighbours and rob them; they fight not then for their right, but to get a booty, and under colour of warring, make a trade of [...]ilii Greg. Gyrald. [...]. 1. robbing. And another saith, When they want meat, they forcibly rob their neighbours: but the matter, is quite other­wise, for usually the lustiest, and the best stored, that need no­thing, will bee first prying into their poor neighbours weak­ness. They set not upon an empty Hive, seldome upon an ill furnished Hive, but upon some well provided stock, where the fatness of the booty is a fitness to their desires.

[Page 114]Remisse opposition provokes fiercer attempts, they are im­pudent when they meet not with bold resistance, only resolution can make them give back, give over, they will make many tedious and f [...]intlesse onsets, as if the strongest foit were not a­ble long to hold out.

They first come with a few and make an assault, and by the opposition conclude the issue, but still renew their numbers, and although they lo [...]se many in the conflict, yet will they per­sist, and not prevailing that day, will the next morning before the true Bees bee stirring, venture in, and if the opposition be not the more resolutely maintained, they will come so nume­rously, as waters at a breach, that resistance is to no purpose, and then they do fall to plundering, going and returning untill it bee dark, if they have not carried away all before; and so con­tinue till they leave not a drop of honey; to whom often the true Bees (seeing their condition otherwise desperate) will joyn themselves, and accompany them to their Hives, and help to carry away their own goods.

As long as the opposition lasts, they are very fierce, and un­till they have overcome, mercilesse, but having once made a forci­ble entry, they quickly give over killing, and fall to plunder­ing.

Sometimes many stocks will bee up in arms together, and then it is no easy matter to compose and quiet them.

Yet this often avails little, it is better by prevention to avoid it, by narrowing their doors when once mid- Iuly is past, that but a Bee or two may enter at once (understand it of the poorer stocks) but if this hath been neglected, and they bee together by the ears, then make a smoak of much and wet straw, and throw water about the Hive door where the greater conflict is, straitning the passages of those that are robbed sometimes (if the [...]kirmish bee violent) stopping them up close, and throw water upon those that eagerly seek to enter, and in less than an hour find [...]ng no entrance, and trouble without, they will re­turn home. After sunset open them, and all the robbers that [Page 115] are alive will go to their own Hives. Examine their state after the robbers depar [...]ure, and i [...] you finde but a few Bees, it will not bee worth your labour to trouble your self for their preser­vation, for at one time or other they will bee robbed, if not, they will never thrive.

But if there bee a considerable quantity of honey stil left, and also of Bees, then stop them up again close, allowing them aire through a quil; but bee sure you stop them up very well, for in the day time they will bee gnawing and mineing to make a hole out, and the robbing Bees will bee ever and anon visiting the door, to see if it bee open, which if they [...]inde (if you do not presently stop them in again) the last danger will be worse then the first. After sun-set allow them a passage to go forth, to take the air and empty themselves; take this course seven or eight daies, and when you give them a free passage in the day, let it not bee untill nine of the clock, and the first and seco [...]d day that you open them, stop up their enemies, that they may not trouble them who are not lusty, as at the first by shutting in, and in eight days their enemies will forget them,

Some prescribe to cast [...]lour on the Bees that you let out, that so you may know the plundering Hives, which you may easily otherwise, but if you do not, take this course, and ob­serve whither they go, when you once know the robbing stock, with a long pen-knife, through the Hive, cut the combs towards the top, that so they may find work at home to stop up what you have broken.

Although they will not admit of strange Bees in their Hives, yet diverse stocks will conspire together, and agree well to undo their neighbours: and usually like the fox they prey furthest from home, seldome robbing their next neighbours.

The chief times of robbing are Autumn and the Spring: u­sually about the end of August, but in dry years, about a fort­night before, when the honey gathering is almost over, then do the lustiest (being most numerous in Bees) practise it on the old stocks, such chiefly that have overswarmed, and have but a few Bees left: on such also as have lost their Leaders, who are carelesse to resi [...]t, and will quickly go along with them, and help to carry their own goods. There is no way to save such, but as I prescribed formerly.

[Page 116]Another time of robbing is in the spring, and then those poor old stocks that escaped in Autumn must bee carefully watched, poor swarms also shall now bee tried, until the year grows up, and the flowers bee plentiful.

Let all such have (as I ordered before) very narrow doors; swarms are more difficultly prevailed against then old stocks; for though perhaps they have not wrought down to the board, and so the entrance be more easy, yet being usually more mul­titudinous, they will hold out longer: whereas old stocks al­though they have more provision, yet have fewer souldiers, and therefore are quickly overcome and plundered, and more easily in the spring then before.

Once, if you perceive, that waspes in multitudes, or robbing Bees have made a breach into an old stock, delay no longer, but take them, for although by your circumspect care in stopping them up, and narrowing their entrance, you may prevent their present destruction, yet will they not escape in the spring: but if it bee a swarm, there is some hope, that by your care, you may prevent their present and future destruction.

CHAP. XX. Of Bees, Enemies and Sicknesses.

ALl Common-wealths are infested with enemies, and the Common-wealth of Bees as much as any other. Wee have already spoken of the worst, namely Bee [...].

In the next place let us treat of Mice, which are also very hurtful and destructive. Sometimes they get in at the door, when it is left too l [...]rge and open, sometimes they make their way through the Hive, most commonly near the crown of it, and they are no sooner in, but they presently share down the Combs, and eat the honey; and if they be let alone, will often make their nests among the Combs. To prevent them, bee carefull of the door; of [...]en, especially in the winter, view your Hives. If you see any crumbles of wax at the door, bee sure there is something amis [...], look therefore wa [...]ly, and keep traps baited about your stalls.

[Page 117]Waspes in Harvest do great mischief, sometimes destroy whole stalls. At first when they are new come, they content themselves with dead Bees; but after a while they grow bolder, and venture into the Hives, and most of all in the cool mornings when the Bees stir not. And after they have found the way they will never give over, but invite their fellows, nay, they are often the robbing Bees harbingers, who make an end usually where they beginne. And although there bee an antypathy between them and Bees, yet will they readily joyn together to plunder the poor Hives. They are naturally hardier and strong­er than Bees, one waspe will often violently break away from two or three Bees, yet many of them come short home, being slain in the Hives by them.

In the spring at your watering troughs, or other places where your Bees drink, and on the south-side of your pales, you may see the mother Waspes, drinking or gathering kill them if you can, and know that you destroy as many nests as waspes, for every mother Waspe makes a nest. After when they have bred let their nests bee sought ou [...], and destroyed, burn them or scald them; or (which is sooner done) in the evening with an iron spade (having before observed which way they go) seek for their nest by putting it into the ground, and you shall know when you meet with it by the hollownesse, then loosen the earth round and stamp it in. Set glasses with strong worte, sweetned water, or sweet fruit: or rather pots covered with a paper, with a hole in the middle, and that is the best way, for in the o­ther the Bees will be o [...]ten drowned.

The Hornet is as hardly censured as the waspe, but shee is nothing so dangerous; shee now and then ea [...]s a Bee, but the waspes destroy whole Hives, her manner is to flye about the Hive, and when shee seeth a Bee [...]esting her self upon the stool, shee presently seizeth upon her, and carries her away in her feet, as the Hawk doth a bird. Destroy their nests if you can without danger, if it be no large hole, in the evening having made a woodden plugge, suddenly knock it in, and you are sure of them, or set lime twiggs before their holes, and thereby you will much diminish their numbers.

The Titmouse is more hurtful then the Hornet, I mean the great Titmouse called a Colmouse, with a black head, for shee [Page 118] will eate ten or twelve Bees at a time, and by and by be rea­dy for more; she seeds her young ones also with them. She eates not the whole Bee, but divldes it in the middle, and pulls out the bagge of hony with the entral, letting drop the skinny outside.

When she comes to the hive and findes none, she knocks with her bill at the door, and as soon as the Bees come out to enquire the cause, she catcheth first one, and then ano­ther, until her belly be full; in the Spring she watcheth for them in the Willow and Sallow Trees, and takes them when they are at their work. Destroy their Nests in bree­ding time, and shoot them in Winter.

The Spider is a great devourer of Bees, if the Hives bee empty, or have but a few Bees, shee will make her webs within: but for the most part if it bee a penthouse, shee lies between the boards where they [...]old one over another in the day. And in the night shee weaves her nets right before the Hive, wherein the Bees are quickly ensnar­ed.

Kill the Spiders if you can come at them, and in the morn­ings beat down their nets. Many also spread them in the flowers, and among the brambles in the hedges, and they lye in ambush in the cod or center of them out of sight, and no sooner doth a Bee or flye strike them, but they are upon them and kill them. They will grow quickly grea­ter then large Pease by eating of Bees.

The Woodpecker is by many indited, I think not much guilty, yet I will not discharge her.

The Swallow hath un ill-name, but I could never ob­serve any great hurt done by them.

[Page 119]The Moth with her mealinesse somewhat offends the Bees, but except the Hive hath very few Bees, or be altoge­ther empty, she doth no great hurt; yet then she will lay her blots in the Combs, which will spoil and consume them all. Ordinarily shee breeds her young by the heat of the Bees under the skirts of the Hive, and the daw [...]ing [...]ails will sometimes creep into the Hives, and much trouble the Bees with their coldnesse and sliminesse.

The Toad is thought to bee dangerous, though shee doth but lye under the stool, and sometimes to destroy them, as the Frog when they drink, but I never observed it.

The P [...]s-mires are often very hurtful, troubling the Bees, and devouring their hony, scald them in their nests, and Albert. de mi­ [...]ab. mund [...] ▪ tarr the places where they use to ascend. Albert. saith, moun­tain Origanum dried and beaten to powder, if it be strowed on their rests, makes them to forsake them.

If the Ants holes be stop [...] with Heliotropium; they wil Mizald a [...]c [...] ­norum l. 1. certainly dye.

Bears in some Countries do greatly endamage the Bees, and Bats, those that breed in trees, seldome are injuri­ous to those in Hives.

Sparrows feed on Drones, but meddle not with the Bees, At first I was suspicious that they destroyed the Bees; taking notice therefore of their often flying to the Hives, and from thence to their nests; I caused the young to bee taken, and found their crops full only of Dro [...]ns. Arist. de hist. lib. 9 c. 9. Scal. com. in lo [...].

Ferrets delight in honey, and therefore spoil Bees, but this Scaliger denies, for hee saith, that he hath offered them [...]oney, but they refused to taste it.

In Guinea are many Bees, but all wild, breeding in trees, Pur. Pilg. 2 part l. 8 c. 2. and receive much hurt from a kinde of great black Ant, which make holes in the earth like [...]eld Mice, and much damnify the Bee [...] by eating both hony and wax.

In the Countrey of Sof [...]la, there is a bird called by the J [...]vo [...]d [...] San­to, live [...]o pin. d [...] Ethiop. ori­ental c 24. Cufers Sazu. It is of the bignesse of a Linnet, and almost of the same colour, with a long Bill. The chief food of these Birds is wax. They seek about the woods for stocks of Bees▪ And when they have found one that hath honey, [Page 120] they come into the waies to seek for Passengers to shew it them; which they do by crying before them, and beating their wings from bough to bough untill they come to the Bees. The naturals who are acquainted with their man­ners, presently follow them, to get the honey. And the advantage that these birds get is to eat the wax they leave, and the dead Bees. They will come into Churches at the windows, and if they find wax candles, eat them.

The Hirara is like the Civet-c [...]t (though some say it is Purchas Pilg. fourth part, l. 7. c. 1 not) they are of many colours, viz. gray, black, and white, They eat nothing but honey. And in this they are so terri­ble, that let the hole of the Bee-hive bee never so little, they make it so big that they may get in, and when they finde the honey, they never eat it, until they have called their yong ones. And then the old one going in doth nothing but bring out the hony, and give it to the young ones. A thing of great admiration, and an example of great cha­rity.

In the Island of Barbadoes, and the adjacent Islands, are certain birds bigger than Sparrows, with a very great head, called by the English Logerheads and Counsellors, they live naturally on all sorts of Flies, and are great de­stroyers of Bees, for they have made a total destruction of all that have been carried thither.

Crabs burned are hurtful to Bees, and also the smell of Palladius de re [...]ust. l [...] Columel. I [...]dorus His­palen lib. 12 Etymol. c. [...] dung, and places subject to Eccho's, for Eccho's and great noyse much exasperate them.

There is no such creature called Clerus (as some) bred by Bees, Moth [...] are bred in the combs where are few or no Bees, in lusty hives they are bred under the verges or ski [...] of the hive, but generated of Moths, not of Bees, as Colu­mella, and from him Aldrovandus.

The Martins in Russia live for the most part on the tops of 1. Miletius re­ligio Bo [...]uss [...]. Huldrichus Schimdel. Trees, and greedily devour the Bees.

The Crocodile is much delighted with, and desirous of hony, Saffron is their antidore or preservative (which it seems he cannot endure) to safe-guard the Bees.

The dung of Poultry is supposed to be very offensive to Bees, but I have not taken notice of any such effect, al­though [Page 121] I have observed in several places, that for shelter the Hens would repair to the Hives (such as stand under Penthou­ses) and dung among them, howsoever (if you can) keep them away, and be sure to let no Hens sit under the Bee-boards, for the Bees wil sometimes come to them, which the Hens wil catch in their bills and kil; which other Bees smelling wil seek to revenge, but with their owne destruction; I have knowne above a quart of Bees killed thus by a Hen in a little space.

Lightning, especially Thunder affrights, and much disturbes Mouffet the [...] ­ [...]tum insector, lib. 1▪ them, saith Mr. Mouffet, and to confirme this tells us, that in the moneth of August, one thousand five hundred sixty six, being with the Dutchess of Somerset, desperately diseased, suddenly, (on occasion of a stroke of Thunder) under the next Bed-stead, he and others heard a murmuring and shril noyse, but at first knew not that Bees were housed in the seeling of the roome, un­derneath where they had inhabited thirty years.

And the day following (for want of sleep, as he supposed) flew up and down trembling, and making more than ordinary noyse, and in a distracted manner struck themselves against the windows, were extreamly provoked against the Family more than at other times, so that they are impatient of fear, do he con­cludes; as also of disturbance by night, when he saith they all sleep, and not at all by day; when indeed they sleep not all, for some watch, and make a constant buzzing (in full Hives) all hours of the night, until Autumnes cold forceth them up within the Hive, and makes them to lye close compact together among the uppermost combes; yet then (if they be asleep) they are presently awakened, not only with the least touch on the Hive, but of the ground near it. Nay, if you breath before the Hive, though at a yard distance, they wil presently come forth with a great noyse to examine the cause.

Snow is very hurtful when it dissolves with the heat of the Sun, for the Bees with the heat wil be tolled out of the Hives and they are no sooner forth, but they are dazled, and blinded, and cannot finde the way in again, but flying a while up and down be­ing wea [...]y, think to rest themselves on the Snow, which they no sooner touch but they are killed; be sure therefore at such times to shut them in.

[Page 122]Sharp frosts, nipping blests, chilling air [...], drisling s [...]eet, boisterous and cold winds, in the Spring, are very prejudiciall for the Bees, coming home weary and laden, are beaten down after [...] mukitudes, and (unless the Sun shine out presently, or the wl [...]ds calm) never recover the Hives. Let your Bee-garden be well defended (take head of a [...] eddy wind from some house or building) and let them stand low▪ I have observed, that out of six Hives, standing two foot high, and in the eddy of the wind. I have lost more Bees (being beaten down, and miscarrying on the cold ground, then out of sixty Hives, standing not much a­bove a foot from the ground.

Bees are sick in dry yeare, and in such times when the flow­ers A [...]ist. de [...]ist, Animal. l. 8. c. 32. are blasted Concerning Bees sicknesses, hear [...] V [...]gil saith.

The murrain among Bees is very r [...]e: other diseases they Col [...]mel. l. 9. are subject too, especially to a scowring, by gathering, or feed­ing on Tithymal, and the blowings of the El [...] ▪ and therefore in those parts of Italy where there are many Elms, there are but a few Bees. I deny not but the gathering of the Elms may bee dan­gerous in Italy; but I am sure in our parts, which are plentifully stored with Elms, they are no way prejudicial: Indeed they seldome gather of them.

Much ad [...] is made by many Authors concerning Bees sick­nesses, and the remedies. They tell us that they are subject especially to a C [...]coc [...]ymi [...], Bl [...]gania, M [...]smus and Di [...]rr [...]. Whereas in all my long observation, I have found no proper sickness; accidentally indeed, when they are necessitated for pro­vision, [Page 123] or not well defended from winds and wet, they have an ill digestion, because they have little to eat, and they lose their brood, because they have not wherewith all to feed them; and their natural heat is wasted for want of meat to maintain na­ture; and they have sometimes a scowring not having meat proper and good for them, they then will sometimes gather of purging flowers, which doth not strengthen them, but make them more faint and weak.

And yet to all these various effects proceeding from one and the same cause, have the Ancients given sundry and divers names, Varro dere [...]ust: l. 9. as if the causes had been as diverse. Varro therefore giving di­rections what a man should observe that buyes Bees; mindes him to take notice, if they bee numerous, if they bee shining, and full; whereas if the combs bee not set in an even posture, if the Bees be hairy and thin bodied, they are to be refused, all which are but effects of hunger.

In a word, if you desire to have your Bees thrive, and prosper, keep them well from winds and wee, heat and cold, destroy their enemies, and let them enjoy a sufficiency of food gotten by their own industry; and if there be a want in some, timely supply them, and doubt not of, by Gods blessing on your endeavours, the increase and prosperity of your Bees.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Hony-dew.

THe Hebrew word for Hony-dew is [...] je [...]aken, which comes from [...] j [...]rak, and signifies spuere, euspuere, hu­morem [...]vacuare, as if it were saliva sider [...] (as Pliny) an excre­mentitious moisture, which the stars spit down on the fruits of the earth. By this word also is signified the Kings-evil. Bux [...]orf. lex.

In Latine R [...]big [...] is a Hony-dew, as well as rust, a name from the effect, shewing how that by a hurtful touch, it stops the J. Rowlandson Gods blessing in blasting. growth of some fruits that are obnoxious to it, making them to rust, eating out their state and substance, at a ca [...]er or rust [Page 124] fre [...]teth iron; so that what is a disease of mettal is figuratively R [...]ber [...] com. in Amos c. 4. transferred to corn, and such like things▪ because it destroyes and consumes them, for with too much moisture the stalks wax pale, and the corn is turned to dust; but hee was much mista­ken, not distinguishing between smutty and mildewed corn, for corn affected with the mildew is not turned into dust, but shrunk up, and prevented of its radical moisture, so that though it come to maturation (for it will ripen, and is best for seed) yet not to a full bigness and dimension.

Of the cause of smutty corn, I will speak briefly after­wards.

Some conceive shrinking of corn by the Hony-dew to bee thus occasioned. In fields less previous to clear and strong winds (as in lower grounds, and narrow places between woods and hills) there falls often sultry and foggy mists, and those co­vering too close the fruits of the ground under them, as under thick mantles do cast that corn or kinde of grain which is sub­ject to this malady, as it were into an unkindly sweat, at such times as the ears thereof are not yet sufficiently filled from the root, by which faint sweat is vented that sweetness that should feed the ear. Now this sweetness once exhausted or drawn out at the stalk, or straw, sticks close unto it being burnt, or made adust by the extraordinary heat of the Sun, as it hap­peneth especially in the Canicular dayes, which (as it may seem) made the Romans sacrifice a Whelp or Puppy to Mildew. Ovid de fast. l. 4. Hier. Ro­mano de la Repub. gen. l. 2. c. 7. And this they did to prevent it, or to drive it away, if it had seized on their corn, That this prejudice is chiefly caused in narrow and close grounds wee grant, and seldome comes on hills, or large champion grounds. But yet it brings not dam­age to the corn this way, but rather thus, The corn in close places when the Hony-dew descends, not being ventilated and shaken with winds, the Hony-dew as it dries, becomes viscuous and clammy, and sticks close to the straw, and by the heat is hardened and congealed, and thereby stops the radical moistures from ascending, and so the ears being no longer sed, shrink and wither. As hard binding or tying of a mans arm, causeth (if continued too long) by stopping the circular motion of the blood, a mortification or gangreen. It comes not from any malignancy as some, nor because that the oily viscuous quality, that is in [Page 125] it stops the pores of the husk wherein the corn lyes, and de­prives First large letter in Mr. Hartlibs Le­gacy. it from the aire, and consequently from nourishment, this is not the cause, but what was delivered before. But hee concludes it is, and therefore commends bearded Wheat, be­cause the beard shoots off the dew, that it doth not so easily in­s [...]uate it self into the ear, and likewise causeth the ear to shake, by the least breath. Credat Iudeus Apella. Howsoever had hee been acquainted with the inconvenience of bearded Wheat, he would rather have stood to the hazzard of a Hony-dew.

For cure Mr. Remnant prescribes, when you perceive by your Bees that a Hony-dew is fallen, to draw a cord over your Wheat as fast as may bee, before it bee dried on by the wind or Sun. One in one furrow, and another in another, two or three furrows distant as they can well reach. One at one end, and the other at the other end of the cord, for the least mot on will shake it off, it is so exceeding thin when it newfalls. I dare not say (as some) that this can bee done with good profit, for ma­teriam superat opus, the charge will exceed the benefit. Such as sow sixty or eighty Acres of Wheat must of necessity imploy many men, and perhaps many dayes together, for Hony-dews in a dry season fall frequently, and sometimes twice a day, and therefore it must be oft reiterated.

And the loss by it, is seldome great, it is rare to have one Acre in an hundred prejudiced by it, and yet we consist of in­closures, and much wood-land.

Pliny affirmed the Hony-dew to bee either the sweat of the Plin. Nat. hist. l. 11. c. 12. heaven▪ or the slaver or spittle of the stars, or the moisture of the aire purging it self.

Gualter saith, It is caused by the inconstant change of the Gualter in Amo▪ Hom. 11. aire, when immoderate heat cause raines, and cold raines expel heat.

Dr. Lake saith, That too much moisture is the cause Dr Lake in 1 King 8. 37. of it.

Mr. Butler judgeth the Hony-dew to bee the quintessence of all the sweetness of the earth, meaning as hee explains himself, the quintessence of flowers, because when the year is backward in his fruits, the Hony-dews are alwayes backward, coming only at such times, as the flowers have the most solid and best juice.

[Page 126]Secondly, because in more hot and southerly clymates, where the fruits are more forward, the Hony-dews are more timely▪ in Italy not untill May bee entred, but hee saith not usually with us untill a month after, whereas if the season bee warm and dry, often by the beginning of May, and sometimes a little before, alwayes in May, there are with us many swarms.

Thirdly, because the Countries that have store of the best and sweetest flowers, have ever the best Hony. It is true, that Hony is [...]iner or courser, recording to the flowers that the Bees gather of, but this rather concludes (against him) that the Bees gathering is not chiefly, no not very much from the Hony-dews; for it cannot (almost) but be supposed that the exhala­tion must remain sometimes in the a [...]e, before it bee concocted and fall, in which space either ascending, or descending by the motion of a gentle breath, it will be cattled some miles from the place where it was first exhaled, so that grant it extracted from the flowers, yet that which was exhaled from good and fragrant flowers, may fall in woody and heathy places, and that which was exhaled from heathy ground according to the mo­tion of the air [...], may fall on good land, h [...] rule the [...] cannot bee constant. And some years, when there are few or no flowers, yet are there many Hony-dews, as 165 [...]. so that the matter of them could not bee extracted chiefly from flowers, and in ex­traordinary wet years, as himself instanceth in the year, 1613. the Hony-dews fell not untill the end of August, when most flowers had done blowing, and those that were, had a very weak and faint juice, and therefore it is not probable, that there should bee a competent matter for their production chiefly out of flowers.

It is agreed by all, as far as I can search, that the Hony-dew consists of vapours raised up into the third region of the aire, ex­haled from all lower bodies (not onely flowers) both earth and water, which vapours▪ being purged from the [...]thier and drossier matter, and throughly digested by the heat of the Sun, and after a sort made fatter by the cold of the following night, are thickned, and so condensated, fall down on the earth, trees, and flowers. Arist. de bist. l. 5. c. 22.

Bees make Hony of the Hony-dew, saith Aristotle.

[Page 127] Butler saith, The greatest part of the purest Hony comes from above.

Seneca saith, It is not yet evident whether the moisture that S [...] [...]4. Epist. Bees gather out of flowers be presently hony, or whether by a mixture or propriety of their own, they change it into hony.

Aristotle before the rising of the Vergilia, denies that Bees gather any hony, but this is an apparent errour, They ga­ther much hony, when there are Hony-dews, but yet more be­fore any fall, if you respect the shortness of time they gather it in. Bees gather hony more or less all Summer, but least in Au­tumne, because the great dews and frequent showers, corrupt the native hony which is bred in the flowers; and yet Aristotle ac­knowledgeth where there is plenty of Ivy which flowreth in the end of Autumn, the Bees gather much hony, but wee finde it not.

That great plenty of Hony comes from above, is acknow­ledged, and that the Oak among trees is principally instrumen­tal to retain and keep the same on his smooth and solid leaves: yet I affirm, that there is a greater proportion collected from flowers, than from the Oak, and all other sorts of trees, I un­derstand from the leaves.

This indeed is altogether gain-said by Aristotle: He delivers, that Arist. de hist. l. 5. c. 19. Bees gather not hony of flowers, but chiefly of the Hony-dew; and his argument is, because in a day or two, when the Hony-dews fall, some combs will be full, and in the end of Autumn there be flowers, but no hony, if any Hive bee taken, driven, or gelded, hee saith they would gather hony, if any were to bee found.

Wee are to know, That as great store of hony falls from a­bove, so there is a native sweetness, or hony, in flowers, the Spring and Summer chiefly, which is not to bee found so plenti­fully towards the end of Autumn, because the flowers at that time of the year are weak and spent, and afford little, and that little, is usually exhaled with immoderate heat, or spoyled with frequent raines, or great dews; so that there is little, or no ad­vantage at all from them, in respect of hony. Some Sandara­cha indeed the Bees gather then, but that will not last long, therefore of necessity when Bees are late taken, for want of food, they cannot live long.

[Page 128]If Bees gathered hony chiefly of the Oak, which almost a­lone is retentive of the hony-dew (from flowers he denied they gathered any hony) how comes it to pass that hony-dews falling late in the year, as in the years one thousand six hundred and thir­teen, and one thousand six hundred forty eight, almost two months after the usual time, namely, in the latter end of August, when there fell divers hony-dews, but the Bees were little the better for them, except only in the Heath Country, when the Heath­flower was in his prime, and there those late hony-dews made their fat stalls, but in other places the Bees generally mis­carried.

If they did principally gather of the Oak, the leaves thereof were then as retentive of it, as at Midsummer, but rather hereby it appears, that the hony-dew is received into the hollow sockets of Flowers, and there long contained, until by the Bees it be ex­tracted.

Hony-dews therefore falling late when most Flowers have done blowing, not having any proper place to contain them, are, either quickly washed away with the raine, or exhaled with the Sun.

Further, that Bees gather hony of flowers is manifest, in ma­ny Islands where grow no Oakes, nor yet other Trees, nor yet are near them by some miles (as the Island of Fowlness) yet Bees thrive very well, and yeeld ordinarily a greater increase of hony than in other places.

Pliny saith, the Bees gather the hony-dew from the Elme, Teile-tree, and Sallow; but our Elmes are not retentive of the hony-dew, no [...] yet our Sallows often, sometimes a little; more plentifully is the Hop, and would be very beneficial to the Bees, were it not for the bitterness of the leaf corrupting the hony; Che­ry-trees (especially the wild Cherry-tree) are retentive of the hony dew, and thereupon curle up the leaves, and so contain it longer, but to their owne prejudice, for the radical sap or moysture is thereby checked, and ascends no more, and of [...] ­times their tops wither and dye, but the Oak of all others most plentifully affords it; the great Maple also (vulgarly called the Sycamore tree) the leaves of other Trees are more spongie and L. Verul. Silva sil▪ cent. 5 496. porous, and drink it in as fast as it falls.

The L. Verulam makes a doubt whether any cause be from [Page 129] the Oaken leaf it self, to concoct; or whether it be only that the leaf is close and smooth (and therefore drinketh not in the dew, but preserveth it)

That which in Scripture is called Manna, by the wisest of the Caelius Rhod. Lect Antiq. l. [...]1. c. 3 Idem. lib. 25. c. 25 Greeks was called [...], a hony-dew; and Celsus in his Physick saith, by the Syrian dew is understood that which by a strange or forrein name is called Manna.

The present Manna, and that wherewith the Children of Is­rael were fed forty years in the Wilderness, differ not much from the hony-dew.

First, That Manna of the Israelites, and the manna used by Physitians differ not much, Fr. Valesius, and also Io. Fr. Picus Fr. Vales▪ de sacra, Philo­soph c. 57 Levin. Leminus Herb. bib. explicat. Earl of Mirandula attests the same in certaine learned Verses, and Lemnius agree; hereto, saying, the Manna now in use by Physitians is not much unlike the Manna that the Israelites fed of.

The Hony-dew and Manna doe not substantially differ, the Dew is not Hony except it be gathered by the Bees, concocted in their bodies, and condensated (by their heat) in the combes; for when it is thickned of it self, it is called dry manna; but if it be not coagulated it is called liquid manna, as a congealed dew, viscuous, and very pleasant to the taste, of which sort is that Hippocrat. lib. de vulneribus, Pet Bellonius, lib. 2. observat. c 25 which is called Cedria, mentioned by Hippocrates, and it is the same which the Hebrews call Manna; it is plentifully gathe­red of the greater Cedars on Mount Libanus, and Mount Sinai.

The Characters of the present Manna agree to the Jews Exod. 16. 14 Manna;

First, it fell on the ground like a hoare Frost, in the night.

Secondly, the taste thereof was like Wafers made with hony, which agrees with the manna now in use.

Thirdly, it was gathered in the morning, before the Sun waxed hot, for the heat thereof did dissolve it, and make it to evaporate and vanish away.

Fourthly, if it were kept, it bred Worms; I was informed from a learned Gentleman, that the Hony-dew hath bred Worms before night, of which he was an eye-witness in our Country.

Some gather the excrements of Bees (of a yellow colour, and [Page 130] hony taste) which they finde near the Hives, and some igno­rantly Levin. Lem­nius. Herb. bib exp [...]lcat. suppose to be thickned by an aerial concretion; but this cannot be, for the excrements of Bees are always liquid, and fluid, and if there be any reality in this report, It must bee the Bee-bread, whereof much is yellow, and all of a hony taste; it is gathered in little round parcels as bigge as small pins heads, but they are brittle, and broken, will not ea­sily coagulate, for they are not clammy; and the Bees let many fall at the Hive doors, if the entrance be small: but they must be very fools that will take this for Manna, much more they that wil be cozened with the excrements.

It hath been questioned, whether Manna was knowne to the ancient Grecians, some deny it, because the name is not found; others affirme it, as Guido P [...]nnyrollus, that Manna was known to them, but not under the name of Manna (which word the A­rabs borrowed from the Iews.

Galen speaking of the same, acknowledgeth that in his time in Galen lib. 3. de al [...]ment. facult. Amiretus de As [...]ae ponderi­bus J. Langius [...]. 1. Epist. Medic 64 Asi [...], this kind of hony was found so plentifully on the leaves of Trees, that the inhabitants said, Iupiter rained hony; and long before Galens time, Amirelus hath exactly described it under the name of aery hony, as Io. Longius [...]ffirms; and the reason of this name is evident, because hony like a dew fall [...] from Hea­ven, or the Air before day-light; for when the exhalations are elevated from the earth, and the waters by the heat of the Sun, and then being perfectly attenuated and concocted, are thickned, and congealed by the cold of the night into hony, graines, or sand, they stick upon herbs and leaves of Trees (sometimes on stones, and the ground) The inhabitants therefore spread Hides on the ground, and beat the Trees, and that which falls (like hony) they gather, and put into earthen vessels, where in a short time it hardens, and becomes as it were like sand.

It is like a kind of Gum, as Fuchsius delivers, and Matthiolus Matthiol. com. in lib. 1. Dio­scorid. c. [...]3 Mesue lib. 1. de simpl. c. 8 confirms the same, and Mesus also saith, the Arabian hony is a dew salling on Plants (and Stones) whose matter is an eleva­ted vapour, which hath its digestion and maturation in the air, when it is equal and propitious, with fortunate aspects, but it is diversified according to the diversity of things on which is falls, Galen. lib. 3. de al [...]m. f [...]c. salling on plants it participates of the nature of Plants, so that the best hony is usually where the most temperate Plants grow.

[Page 131]Now if Galens description of his Ai [...]y hony be compared with this, it accords in every thing; and Galen in the same place saith, that this Hony-dew, or Manna, is so like to that hony that the Bees gather of, that they have one and the same matter, namely dew,

Valerius Cordus endeavours by many (but not invincible) Valerius Cor­dus A [...]notat. in Dio cor. lib. [...]. c 104. Guido Panny­rollus Nova re­pe [...]t [...], l. 2. tit. 6. Arguments, to prove that they differ; with whom Hen. Sal­mouth, and Guido Panyrollus concur, and accord.

First, the Bees hony, saith Cordus is found at all times of the Spring, and Summer, but the Hony-dew (and also Manna) but sometimes and seldome.

I answer, that there is a native sweetness in some flowers at most times of the year, and plentifully in a mild and forward Spring, but yet notwithstanding the Bees gather much hony, when the hony-dews fall.

Secondly, the Bees hony is found both night and day in the Flowers, but the hony-dew only in the morning.

I answer, It is true, that the Bees gather hony out of the flowers a great part of the day, but there is (besides the native hony) an addition of hony from the hony-dew in the cells of the flowers, where it is preserved longer than on the Oaken leaves, being there obvious to every drying blast, and exhaling raine.

And so saith the L. Verulam, Flowers that have deep sockets, L. Veru [...]. Sil­va silv. cent. 7. 669. doe gather in the bottome a kind of hony, as Hony-suckles (both the Woodbinds and the Trefoile) Lillies, and the like, and in them certainly the flower beareth part with the dew, and Sands relat. lib. 4 therefore places abounding in Manna, doe also yeeld plenty of hony; Thus Cep [...]alenea. Moreover, the hony dew doth not only fall in the morning early, but in hot gloomy seasons, often in the after noon.

Thirdly, the Bees hony most abounds in flowers about noon, but the hony-dew as soon as the Sun waxeth hot, perisheth; I answer, it perisheth where it is open, and exposed to the Sun and Wind, but where it is well defended from either (as in the small sockets of flowers) it endures much longer.

And I affirme further, that Bees gather most hony in the fore-noon, except the hony-dew falls in the after-noon, and nei­ther raine washeth it a way, nor the Suns hot rayes exhale it.

Fourthly, the Bees hony while it is contained in the flowers, [Page 132] is liquid, but the hony-dew, namely Manna is compacted toge­ther, and congealed; Answer, Although the hony be liquid in the combes when it is newly gathered, yet thereupon it follows not that it was so liquid in the flower, being by a transcendent Chimical skill extracted forth of a more grossie substance, and after rare [...]ied, and defecated in the limbeck of their bladder, moreover, as we shewed before, in many parts of Asia, the man­na falls more liquid, but hardens after it is gathered.

And againe, it is true in some parts of the World there falls, or rather is gathered this concrete, or coagulated hony (the Sands relat. l. 4 right manna) Manna in Calabria is gathered from the leaves of the Mulberry-trees that grow higher in the mountaines, it falls like a dew in the night time, like a dew, and therefore liquid; it is gathered from the leaf of the Mulberry-trees, but not of such as grow in the Vallies, and it falleth upon the leaves by night.

It should seeme that before these dews come upon Trees in L. Verul. Sil­va sil. cent. 8. 7 [...]1 the Vallies they dissipate, and cannot hold out; it should seeme also the Mulberry leaf it self hath some coagulating vertue, which conspiss [...]teth the dew, for it is not found upon other trees.

And it is more than probable that that Manna that is gathered coagulated, hath its c [...]ndensation from the vertue of the tree, or plant from whence it is taken.

In Persia they call Manna X [...]rquest, Xir in Persian is Milk, and Pedro, Teixei­ra de los. Rayes de Per­s [...] l [...]. c 7 Quest is the name of the Tree which produceth it, or rather whereof it is gathered; the best comes from Hiez, from whence it is c [...]rried in great quantity to Ormuz, and from thence throughout all the East; it is white, soft, sweet, and in Graines like Incense o [...] M [...]stick.

They have another sort called Toraniabin, gathered on cer­taine Idem lib. 1. c. 22 plants like wild thistles; there is a D [...]ng or kind of Manna brought from [...]ad, not farre from the River Sind in the East Indies; the Naturals call it Geukar, of Karsal [...], and Geu fat, for of the dew which falls and congeales in the lowen fields (mark, it falls liquid) it is gathered and called by us Salgen, and more corruptly Salgenia.

I must a little digress to reforme a Geographical errour, the River Sind which was mentioned before, is the principal of five, of which the River is compounded, first Behat, which ariseth [Page 133] near Kobul towards the coast of Persia. The second is called C [...]anab, which comes from the Province Quexmir fifteen dayes journey distant from Labor. A third is called Ru [...]y spring­ing near Labor. A fourth, Via; And a fifth Sind, which Mr. Herberts Travels into Africa and Asia, l. 1. giveth name to the Land and Kingdome, commonly cal­led by the Portugals Sinde. And therefore Mr. Herbert was deceived, who supposed the River Indus to be called Sind. To return again. A [...]t. de Herrera decad. 7. l. 1. c. 7

In the vallies of Chile in their season fall great dews (which collect and harden) like bread tempered with Sugar or March­pane (Mark, they fall liquid dews) which i [...] as wholesome as that which they call Manna: By all which instances, it appears that Manna is first a liquid dew, and after inspissated by a vertue of the tree, or plant on which it falls, and falling on other plants or trees, it never condensates.

From the City of Bal [...]ora scitua [...]e in the end of the Red-sea p. Teixeira relation de lo [...] Rey [...] de Per­sia, l. 1. c. 7. on the banks of the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates, is brought a kinde of Manna in bottles like thick hony, so that some Manna, is never coagulated.

Fifthly, Hony-dew is contained in flowers, but the Hony-dew falls on leaves of trees. Answer [...] only on leaves of trees? Nothing less, on flowers also, and a great part, as I shewed before of the hony in flowers, is not natural but adventitious.

Sixthly, The Bees hony doth not onely last longer, but con­serves other things, and that many years; but the Hony-dew, or Manna will not keep uncorrupted one year, nor yet preserve other things from putrefaction; and in the Northern Regions there is plenty of hony, but rarely any Hony-dews.

So Magirus Hony-dews are very rare in our Countries, in Jo. Magirus Phisiolog l. 4. c. 6. regard of our cloudy aire, but frequent in the Eastern Coun­tries, Answer, That the lasting of hony longer than Manna may bee from a further concoct [...]on which it hath in the Bees bodies, as also from the continued great heat of the Bees after it is repos [...]ed in the combs, whereby it comes to further matu [...]a­tion and perfection Vide Cap [...] of the B [...]asil [...]an Bee called Zelloh.. And whereas hee saith, Hony-dews are rare in the Northern Regions, wee often by wofull experience finde the contrary, receiving by the frequency of them, great prejudice in our hops and corn.

Seventhly, If the Hony-dew bee the matter of hony, how [Page 134] comes it to pass that it falls onely on flowers, and not on the plants and leaves of trees? Answer, It falls not only on flowers, but on leaves of trees and plants also, though some plants and leaves, are not so tenacious, and retentive of it, as the great Maple, and the Oaken leaf, but being more porous and spungy, suck it up, and consume it.

Lastly, When the Hony-dew falls, the Bees gather it, and flock to it, but onely for their present repast and food. Answer, There is no rustick conversant among Bees, but knows the con­trary, and by experience can say, that they then gather more hony in two or three dayes, than in two or three weeks after they cease.

Ribera, as you may remember, attributes smuttiness of Wheat to the Hony-dew; and Helmont seems to be of the same opinion, Helmont▪ tu­mulus pest [...]. calling it Triticum roratum sive mol [...]itum, and so do some others also. Now in a word to undeceive them. The cause of smutty Wheat, is not at al from the Hony-dew, nor yet from any of those causes, that the author of the first letter in Mr. Har [...]libs Legacy delivers. No [...] yet is it a deficiency onely in the vege­tative faculty, for it grows and produceth a blade, and an ear, but then it wants power to quicken and give life, as it were, by blowing to that corn that is put out in the ear; so that not being enlivened, it proves abortive, and turns into a stinking black powder ( Corruptio optimi pessima) smelling like a red Her [...]ing, or Carrion.

Now this falls out for want of a nitrous, and thereby a nu­tritive quality in the grain, for it is most certain, that salt is the seat of life, and vegetation, and so the subject of nutrition.

This by the way, take notice of, that they are most under ears that are subject to that malady, not therefore subject to it, because they are lower than others, but therefore lower, because of a deficiency and weakness in the vegetative faculty. And usually if one stalk hath the ear smutty, all that arise from the same [...]oot are infected, yet it falls out (though ra [...]ely) that some­times one side of the ear is good corn, and the other bags, for one side blows, and the other doth not, and whatsoever blows not, will be smutty.

Many years together I suffered much damage by it, but knew not how to remedy my self, but after the projection of [Page 135] divers experiments, at last successfully, I fell upon this course, I caused a Hogs-head of salt water to be fetched, and put into the water near a bushel of Bay-salt not at once, no [...] yet into the Hogs-head, but pouring half of it at a time into a Tub, I after put in half the salt, wherein when it was melted, I imb [...]bed my Seed-wheat thus: Filling a close well-wrought Ozier­basket (that would admit the water, and hold near a bushel) with Wheat, and then put it into the Tub, holding it by the ears, and when it was all well moistened, took it out, letting the water drain as it stood on the Tubs side, into the Tub again. And when it began to leave dropping, poured it on a floor, and strewed upon it as it was turned over, near a shovel full of slaked lime, not that lime addes any thing to the vegetation (perhaps it accelerates the growth) nor yet secures it from vermine (as some conceive) but onely dryes it (being done over-night) that it is more nimble and better to sow the next day. Lime without steeping your corn, doth not prevent smuttiness, but corn thus imbibed, and then sown without lime, will not smut.

Thus adventitious Salt supplies the defect of that nitrous quality which some grain are defective of, and are hereby quickned, refreshed, and as it were impowred to perfect vege­tation to maturation.

Such as are remote from the sea, must make a brine which will bee every way equivalent, onely more chargeable, I have many years made trial of this course, and without any great curiosity, for my seed have had constantly bright wheat, and so also my neighbours, to whom I readily divu [...]ged what I found good for the publike; but in my publick Discourse, I forget too much my private Design.

CHAP. XXII. Of Hony.

CArdan affirms, That neither Hony nor Waxe is made by Cardan lib. 9 [...] de subtil. any creature but a Bee, which is a truth, if wee take it [Page 136] conjunctively, otherwise not. There is no other creature that makes both hony and waxe.

And that which Scaliger saith, Pliny observes out of Ari­stotle Scaliger de subtil. exercit. 191. (which I remember not) that Waspes make wax, is false whosoever affirms it. Combs they make, as some other Insects, but they are not wax, but drossie collections of old pales, and other old wood, tempered with a gummy liquor flowing from the Oak, or (felled) Elmes whereby they become tough and ca­pable to contain their young. Try to melt them, and you shall quickly resolve your self.

And whereas Scaliger saith, There is in the Mol [...]a Islands hony made by Flies less than Ants (the truth is questionable, for it is onely reported by Pigafetta) I suppose hee called them Flies, onely for their smalness. The earth-Bee, with us a kinde of wilde Bee, is smaller, and yet gathers Bee-bread abundantly, and hony also for ought I know.

And most of the American Bees are not bigger than Flies, but yet are Bees, not Flies.

And for his instances of the solidity of some hony (admit­ting of the Histories) they do not at all enervate this position that Bees onely make honey.

Among the Troglodites in a Country called Balgada, there is hony found whiter than snow, and as hard as a stone; And in the Country about Calicut the hony is so hard that they carry it in baskets, what then, was it not made by Bees? I have seen as white, and as hard made by my own Bees. Indeed besides the domestick Bee, the humble Bee makes hony, but little in quantity, and no­thing so pleasant in taste for quality.

In China there is not onely plenty of Bees wax, but there is another sort which is not onely whiter, but also better, for it is M [...]th. Ric [...]i de Christiana ex­pedi [...] apud Si­nas l [...]b. [...]. less glutinous, and being lighted, burns brighter: It is made of certain worms which they breed up in trees for this purpose. They make a third sort of a fruit of a certain tree which is not less white than the former, but burnes nothing so brightly.

Thus have wee found hony and wax too, made by other creatures besides the Hony-Bees, but both by no one crea­ture.

Libanius saith, Hony and Wax may be gathered without the [Page 137] Bees labour, there is in the flowers, saith he, and leaves of Andreas Li­banius, lib. 2. Alchym. tract. 1. c. 45 plants, both hony and wax, which by sublimation may be easily segregated, but as a fruitless and needless speculation, I wil not insist upon it.

Gorrbeus saith, hony is a sweet juyce, hot and dry, it seemes Mat. Ma [...]tinil l [...]x Philolog. to have its original from the Hebrew [...] which is delight, and thence the Germane Honig, which wee contracting call hony.

By hony Metaphorically is understood every pleasant, dainty, Diction [...]r E­tymolog▪ tri­lingue, [...]. Fun­geris, Cael. Rhod. lect. an­tiq. l. 6. c. 2 Barradas itine­rarium filio­rum Israel ex Aegypto lib. 6. c. 5 and savoury meat.

Hony is the Symbol of Death, as Gall [...]s of Life, wherefore the Ancients offered hony in Sacrifice to the infernal Deities, for be­cause of pleasure, death creeps on us.

Hony signifieth Marriage, saith one, and is taken Figurative­ly for carnal pleasure, and signifies a worldly life, not abhor­ring delight, for marriage is honourable; nor is a Christian to be blamed that lawfully useth it. But as in the old Law, al­though hony might be received for gifts, and first fruits, yet it was forbidden in Sacrifice: so in the Church (only the Roman Church) the hony of Marriage is honourable in Lay-men, yet are married persons prohibited the Altar, for it is not lawful for a Priest to be married.

There are many sorts or kinds of hony; Aerial, Manna, Reed­hony, Sugar, and that which is gathered by Bees; the best hony is that which is so pure that it glisters yellow ( Aristotle com­mends the white) having a good smell, not too hard, nor too thin, sweet to the taste, and hanging together, once being boy­led yeelds little scum.

Another saith, that is the best hony which is in a mean be­tween Scolia Guil. Plantii in Fer­nel, method▪ medendi, lib. 7 thick and thin, sweet in taste, and yet sharp, pricking the tongue; for colour either pale, or pellucid, and shining like Gold, odoriferous and new, and which taken up, hangs so to­gether that it wil not be easily separated; in a word, the best is at the bottome.

A measure that containes fifteen ounces of hony, wil hold but Fe [...]nel▪ me­thod medendi, l. 4. c. 6 We [...]ker▪ de secret. lib. 8 ten ounces of wine, and nine of oyle.

Diopha [...]es prescribes to know adulterate hony thus; if it will not burne purely, but rather thus; melt a little in a porringer, [Page 138] and if it be adulterated with flower, or any thing else, you shall perceive it by the [...]cum; if it be pure, it will be as clear as rock water.

New hony is better than old, the Sicilian was with the Anci­ents Porcacc [...]i de­scrit del isole di Sicilia. in highest estimation, so that by a Proverb, the Hyblean was notorious, Bau [...]inus commends the Attick before all other.

Some imagine that the chief labour, or rather skill of the Bee [...]. Verul. sil. [...]l. cent. 7. Arist. de b [...]st. lib. 5. c. [...] is about the Wax, and that the Bee (according to Aristotle) gathereth hony only from the hony dew; but this wee made clear before, that she maketh, that is, extracteth more from the flowers, than she gathereth from the trees.

Cardane fondly supposeth, that they neither make, nor ga­ther properly, but convert what they gather into hony, by ver­tue of a little bagge or bladder sweet as hony; and like saith he, is made of like.

Various are the opinions of the Ancients concerning those that first found out hony, with the nature of Bees; some say by Eu [...]eme [...]us in the Island Cea; others, by H [...]ro [...]ius, in the dayes of Ericht [...]nius on Mount Hym [...]tte, a Country of A [...]ic [...], Nicander saith in Cre [...]t, in the time of Sa [...]unne.

Aristodemus the Philosopher studied many years to find out August Ser. 15 ad s [...]at. in [...]re­mo. the nature of Bees, and could not; Aristomachus saith Cicer [...] did nothing else for sixty two years; and Pliny saith of him, that he first taught and found out the encreasing of Bees, and was so earnestly affected to them, that he studied day and night how hee might best order, and intreat them according to their kind.

Others ascribe this invention to one Thaffias, who deserved great commendation for his skill among Bees, Diodorus saith, Diod. Siculus lib. 6 Macrob. Sa­ [...]l. l. 1. Iustin lib. 13 the Cure [...]es, a people of Cre [...]a first found out hony, Macrobius ascribes, Diodorus, and Pliny, and Columella, to Aristem in Thes­salie, to whom Iustine agrees, although in his forty fourth Book he ascribes it to Gargoris, but only [...] conceive for Spaine; fabu­lous Berosus cites him by the name of M [...]licola, P [...]lid [...]re to the Polyd [...]r, Vir­gl [...]de invent. rerum lib. 3. c. 3 Iews; I hold it ancienter, for Iacob sent a present of hony to the Governour of Aegypt.

In no part of the world is more hony than in Aethiopia, the Godignus de Abissino [...] [...] rebus, lib. 1. c. 10 cause whereof is the plenty of Flowers which grow there (lot [Page 139] such take [...]otice of it that deny Bees gather hony of Flowers, and the many Rivers, Lakes, and Waters.

Ilensagaghen a Town of Hea in Africa abounds greatly with I. Leo. lib 2 hony, which serveth the inhabitants both for food (consisting of two hundred Families, having neither Gardens nor Fruit-trees, but only Barley and Oyl, the inhabitants being sloathful) and for Merchandise to sell in the neighbour Countries, they cast a­way their wax.

The Mountaines in Africa are most plentiful of hony, whose I. Leo. lib. [...] & lib. 3. tops are always covered with Snow, as Nififa, Sensana, Tag [...] ­dost; Thagia, Beni-fenescare, but white hony is there a ra­ [...]ity; yet in the Kingdome of Morocho they have very much Cael [...] August. Curio [...]s, Ma­rochensis regni descript▪ Mory­ [...] [...]tin. part 3 lib 2. c. 4. Col. Rhod. hony, some for whiteness like to Milk, other clear and yellow like gold.

Poland abounds with hony, which they finde in hollow trees, and Caves of the earth, besides the Husband-mens Hives.

In Mycono there are no Bees, and if they be brought thither they dye.

Mycono is one of the Cyclad Islands. Ortelli Thes [...] I. de la H [...]ye thresor de [...] ch [...]rte [...].

In Ireland are many Bees, as well in Hives at home, as in hol­low Trees abroad, and Caves of the earth, contrary to S [...]li [...] and Isidore, and it is as good as in other Countries, and more store would be there, but that there grow some Trees that are venemous, but what those Trees be he names not.

Aldrovand saith, there be no Bees in New Spaine, and Isidore relates the same of Scotland, and saith, that stones and dust brought thence and laid in the Hives, makes the slees forsake Polyd. Virg. lib. 13. hist. angl. Sand. relat. lib. 4 Po [...]ca [...]hi de­scrit del Isoldi Ma [...]t [...]. Martil [...]u [...] Fici­nus▪ lib. 2. de diet. c. 18 them, but false, as Polidore acknowledgeth.

Malta is hotter by much, than any other Country which is seated in the same parallel without Rivers, but hath sundry fountaines, and hony in abundance.

And the plenty and goodness of the flowers in Malta is the cause that it affords excellent hony, therefore saith a learned Phisitian, that Hony is Flos storum, the flower or quintessence of flowers, nourishing not a little with his sweetness, and preser­ving things from putrefaction.

Sicilia likewise though hot, yet is stored with Rivers and Fountaines; the Winter most temperate, no day so tempestu­ous, as affordeth not some Sun-shine, and about Enn [...] the [Page 140] flowers are so numerous, and fragrant that the Dogs cannot hunt.

In Pod [...]lia, and indeed all Sarmatia (understand Sarmatia in Europ [...], for there is Sarmatia in Asia) now it contains Polonia, Hier. Gi [...]ava de Cosmo­graph. Russia, P [...]ssia, Lituania, Livonia, Podoli [...], and Moschovia: whereto is added Alba, Russia, and Vandalia.

In a word the people were anciently known by the name of Dictionar. Ety­m [...]. tri lingue [...]ungeri. Clao Mag. hist. delle cose S [...]pten. l. 2 [...]. Scyt [...]ians. Here is more hony then in all the world besides, for they fill sometimes great dry pits with combs, that the Bears coming to eat the hony, accidentally falling into them, have been suffocated with the abundance.

Nature denies them the vine, but the God of nature hath more than sufficiently recompenced that defect with an incre­dible Gio. Boterole relationi uni­vers. s [...]li 2 part l 1. Me [...]dosa, Trea [...]e of the Kingdom of China G. Fletcher Russe Com­monwealth. quantity of hony, which they use (besides to several other purposes) to make mead with.

There is great abundance in China, for they wonderfully de­light in keeping of Bees, there is also very much wax, you may lade Ships, nay Fleets therewith.

Hony is more plentiful in Russia than in any part of the world, thereof they spend great quantity in their ordinary drink (which is Meade of all sorts) and many other uses, and yet good quantity is carried out of the Country, which may better appear if wee take notice that there hath been shipped fifty Lettere d'Ab. C [...]mpense in­te n [...]le cose di [...]os. & P. Jovio delle co­se d [...]l. Mos. apud Rhamus [...] ▪ 2. Volum. thousand Pood yearly of wax, every Pood containing forty pound, which amounts to a thousand Tun, and yet the great men use but little Tallow, but much wax for their lights.

Muffet perstringeth Iovius for applauding the Russian hony, for saith hee, There is not a Bee in the whole Country, and hee justifies himself from the relation of Sebastian Baro, how truly from the premises you may easily determine.

About the River Occa, distant about thirty Leagues from Mosco, is the greatest store in all the land of Russia. Purchas pilg. 3. part. l. 2. c. 1. Incourage­ment of setling a Planta [...]. at [...]d [...]gas. J. Leo l. 8.

There is a report that a greater quantity than that menti­oned before is brought yearly to India, from the Coast of Malindia near adjoyning to Madagascar, namely fifteen hun­dred Tuns.

There is little hony throughout all Egypt, and that little is not very good, for it is alwayes moist and thin like water, the reason whereof is said to bee, because the flowers are over [Page 141] moist by the overflowing of Nilus, but in America, where the Alex. Aphedis. Prob. 74. lands are not overflown, but exceeding dry, yet the hony is al­wayes liquid, so that it comes from some other cause.

Corsica yeelds many venemous trees, from which if the Estates of the world translat. by Ed. Grims [...]. Bees suck any thing, they make the hony very bitter; It seems these trees were but in some places, for Atheneus reports, that the Corsi [...]ans were long lived with the daily use of hony, which is very plentiful with them; some parts were infamous for their Servius com. in 4. l. Georg. bad hony, occasioned through their plenty of Yew trees, which Servius confirms, saying, The Corsican hony is bitter, and Martial mentions it.

Some vainly conceit, all hony at first to bee sharp and bitter, Martial 9. [...]pi. Nicetas com. in Greg. Naz. t. 2. [...]at. 43. but in process of time being concocted, it returns to its proper sweetness.

In the City of Trapezun [...] in Pontu [...], the hony gathered of the Yew trees smells filt [...]ly, and makes them that are well in their Arist. de Mi­ [...]abil. Auscult▪ wits, mad, and but cures those that are distracted.

In some parts of Spain the hony is poyson: Also at Hera­clea in Pontus some years, they have an herb called Aegolethron, hurtful to Goats, the flowers whereof, especially in a wet Spring have a poysonous quality. Signs of it, it never thickens, the co­lour is more red than other hony, a strong kinde of smell, pre­sently it causeth sneezing, they which eat of it throw them­selves on the ground seeking to cool themselves, for they are all on a sweat. And if dogs eat their excrements that are affected with it, they have the disease.

Likewise in Pontus among the Sanni, there is a hony which Plin. Nat. his [...]. l. 2 [...]. c. 13 causeth madness, which is supposed to bee gathered from the Rhododendron, whereof the Woods are full. In some parts also of Persia, and in Getulia, a Province of Mauritania.

Galen saith, his father had hony so bitter with age, as if it Gallen, l. 1. de Antidot. c. 2 had been gathered in Pontus. And therefore Servius on those words of Virgil, Dul [...]ia mella premes, saith, It is not a super­stuous Epithite, because there is bitter hony. So is there sharp Idem l. 3. de compos. medic, secund. Gen. S [...]abo l. 11. Dioscorid. l. 6 c 8. hony also which comes by age.

The hony is bitter near Phasis, and about Hereclea a City of Pontus, from the plenty of Monks-hood, or Wolfes-bane, saith Dioscordes.

Pet. Bellonius saith, These Countries of Pontus abound with [Page 142] an herb called Black▪ [...]meleon, the root whereof hath an excre­scency called I [...]i [...], which is a deadly poyson, and kills presently those that drink it. Now, saith he, if the Pees gather the sub­stance of the hony from the Chameleon-flower, there is no doubt but the hony is very dangerous, but saith hee, wee are not ignorant, that the Bees gather not the matter of their hony from the flowers, but onely of the leaves when they are covered with the Hony-dew. But this great observer, for want of ob­servation failed, trusting too much to Aristotle, and others, that the Bees did not make, but onely gather hony.

The Sanni of whom wee spake before, paid a tribute of Waxe to the Romans, but the hony, as dangerous, was not vend [...]ble.

Strabo writes, that the people called Hep [...]acomete [...] beyond Strabo l. 12. C [...]lch [...]s, slew three cohor [...]s of Pompie [...] souldiers when they pas­sed through the mountain Country, for they mingled a kinde of poysonous hony with their drink, and easily m [...]ssacred them when they were besides themselves.

Diodorus reports, That the Grecian [...] returning from Babylon Diod. Siculus, l. 14. in the Country of Col [...]os, found abundance of Bees, and did liberally feed of the hony, but as soon as they had eaten it, they became mad, and presently threw themselves on the ground, and lay like dead men; but the day after, the same hour they were taken, they recovered their wits again.

In Sardinia is no venemous creature, yet the hony is poyson. Dioscor. l. [...]. c. 75. Dioscorides saith, It is very bitter, and that they gather it of wormwood, and that it is excellent to cure blemishes and G [...]n▪ lib. [...] de simp. [...]l. Med. spots of the face. Galen mentions it, saying, If any hony bee bitter as the S [...]rdi [...]i [...], it is of a mixt faculty, as if some of our hony were tempered with wormwood. Virgil saith, It is gathered of the Yew tree, Sic tua Cyrne [...]s [...]ugi [...]t, examina Diod. Sicul. l. [...]. [...]axus. Diodorus from the Box tree.

In Candia there is a mountain called Carnia, nine miles Plin. Nat. hist. l. [...]1. c. 14. in compass, in which space, no Flies are ever seen, and they never touch hony that is made there, and brought from thence.

In T [...]r [...]o [...]a the hony is not only solid, but sandy, such as is ga­thered in the Heath-country of Hampshire, very course, and red, full of little clo [...]s or knots, like sand, but much greater: [Page 143] Pliny dislikes it on good grounds, as the worst hony.

All hony hardened, keeps the same solidity, diverse from wa­ter and other liquids, for all other liquid things once compacted, dry, and are attenuated, but hony doth not.

That hony works as wine in the comb untill the twentieth day (asserted by some) is a fable, and that the cover that stops it up is the f [...]ces from the working, which they that maintain the former deliver, is as ridiculous; make trial, and you shall finde it wax as the combes.

Some combes in plentiful years, are shut up the first day.

Hony in the comb is all pure, but after it is expressed, some [...]ecule [...]t and dreggy matter, partly from the combes, partly from the Bee-bread and spat, somewhat corrupts the purity, all which it purgeth up to the top, contrary to all other liquids where the sediment is at the bottome.

The use of hony was prohibited in the old Law, because it is a symbole of pleasure and delights, in regard of the sweetness Fr. Valesius de sacro Philoso. c▪ 16. Arist▪ Ethic. l. 2. c. 3 thereof. Now pleasures are displeasing to God, no lovers of them can offer a gratefull sacrifice unto him. Therefore the Philosopher said, Because of pleasure, wee doe wicked things.

Another saith, By prohibiting hony in the Law, wee are to Caelius Rhod▪ lect. Antiq. l▪ 28. c. 27. understand Philosophical ostentation, and pleasant allure­ments of humane eloquence, very sweet in sound, but not in substance.

Another, Hony was not offered in sacrifice, nor yet wax, wherein hony is deposited, but oyl for the Lamps in Gods Hieron. Epist▪ [...]. [...]d Gaudent. t. [...]. & Epist. 19. ad Eustochium▪ [...]. 1. Tho. Aquin. 12. q. 102. 3. 14▪ m. Temple, which was expressed from the bitterness of the Olive, for vices are sweet, and therefore the Harlots lips drop as an Hony-comb.

Aquinas saith, Hony was not offered in sacrifice, because it was ordinarily offered in sacrifice to Idols, and also to prohibit, and avoid all carnal sweetness and pleasure from those, who in­tended to offer sacrifices to God.

The heathens used hony in their sacrifices, especially the Stuckius S [...]r. sacrifi [...] ▪ descrip. Plut. quest 5. S [...]p. Hier▪ Romano▪ l. 2. [...] 3. Athenians, and that to several of their Deities, and yet Plu­tarch propounds a question why they did not use it. But it is certain they offered no wine to their gods, but water sweetned with hony.

[Page 144]The Romano had divers names sot their Religious places▪ Good win Ant q. l. 1. c▪ 2▪ & Alex▪ ab Alex. genial dier. l. 5. c. 26 one was called S [...]r [...]i [...]lu [...] ▪ which was a furrow, or pit, con­taining an Altar in it, into which they powred the blood of the slain beast, together with hony, and other things when they sa­crificed to an infernal Deity.

The Romans sacrificed to Pluto three times in the year, the Hier. Romano l. 2. c. 8 beasts for sacrifice were black, old, and barren, and they made ready in this sacrifice a drink of wine and milk, mixed with hony and blood. Guil-Moses unvailed

One gives this as a natural reason, because being burnt, it had no good smell▪

In the Feast of Bacchus, all the Priests being crowned with Idem. l. 2. c 9 garlands of Ivy▪ offered sacrifices made of fine flower, and hony fried with oyl, and sometimes with hony, because Bac­chus, as they supposed first found them out. Horace saith, They sacrificed hony taken out of the Combs to him. Horat. 2. c [...]m.

Bacchus by some was called Bryseus, from an old word, [...] to flow, because he first taught the use of hony: And Ovid. l. 3. Fast. Ovid saith, That hee was not onely the inventor of hony▪ but that hony was offered in sacrifice to him.

The Egyptians when they celebrated the feast of Mercury, Plutarch de I [...]. & O [...]r. did eat hony and figs.

Among many other things which the Romans offered in sa­crifice Hier: Romano l. 2. cap 11 to Ceres, they used to present hony and wine. And be­cause Ceres sought her daughter Proserpina ravished by Pluto with torches, or candles, which shee lighted in the Vul [...]ane [...]n mount F [...], therefore a day of burning lamps and candles, was dedicated to her by the heathen, and from hence came the Good win An▪ l. 2. c. 13. Alex. ab Alex. genial dier. [...] 6. c. 8. feast of Candlemass among the Christians.

In the sacrifices to Bona dea, or the earth, they used wine, but called it not by the name of Wine, but Milk or Hony, and the vessel wherein it was put, the Hony-vessel.

The ancient Greeks quieted or appeased their dead with Eurip. hony, Iphigenia in Euripedes vowing sacrifices to her brother, promiseth to sprinkle the blood of a Mountain-calf, the liquor of Ba [...]ohus, and the labours of yellow Bees.

Chaucer relating the burning of A [...]site, tells what they used Chaucer in the Knight tale. to cast into the Funeral flames.

They gave the deceased a Wa [...]er tempered with hony to ap­pease Adr. Turneb. l. 28. c. 45. Hier. Romano lib. 2. cap. 1. Cerberut withall.

In Peloponesus they began their sacrifices to the goddess Melissa which was adored among them, because shee taught them the use of hony.

This Goropius denies, for hee saith, Noah first after the de­luge Gorop. Becan. Hierogliph. l. 13. sacrificed to God, and God smelled a sweet favour. This was the first banquet after the stood, wherewith Noah feasted Iupiter, for which, because it was sweet, hee was called Melissus, namely for offering hony to Iupiter, and because this Hony-service or sacrifice came from him willingly, hee was said to have a daughter at home called Melissa, namely the hony goodness of his minde, whereby hee made a feast to God.

And then because with this sweetness, or Melissa, hee pre­sently obtained that favour from God, by which hee was abun­dantly supplied with all necessaries; for this, hee was said to have another daughter, which was called Amalthea. So that having Melissa good will, and Amalthea a large plenty of all things; and by these his two daughters daily to feast Iupiter, posterity fained that Iupiter being an Infant was nourished by the daugh­ters of Melissus.

In ancient times, Junkets prepared with hony, were proper Pineda derebus Solom. l. 5. c. 12 to marriage solemnities, of which cates, or honied cakes, the Bridegroome first tasted, and then the Bride, and after the Guests.

Curtius speaks of it in Alexanders marriage with Roxane. Q. Curtiu, l. 8. Cant. [...]. 1. And Pineda saith the same of Solomons marriage with Pharaohs daughter to bee obscurely implied, I have eaten my hony-combe with my hony, I have drunk my wine with my milke; Eat O friends, drinke, yea, drinke abundantly, O beloved. Which is an invitation of the Spouse to the tasting of it: Where the Septu­agint Reads, I have eaten my bread with my hony. Moreover it signifies any extraordinary sweetness, as also milk, or any more pleasant dainty. And truly hony and wine seem to bee proper to Nuptial seasts, which is more clear, E [...]k. 16▪ 13▪ For where­as [Page 146] all the rest that went before concerned marriage; this was a wedding Ceremony to eat bread made of fine Flowre, Hony, and Oyl, by the communion whereof the Bride was taken into the Partnership of the Kings bed and Kingdome.

In Fez after the Espousals and Marriage ceremonies performed, Jo. Leo l. 3. diverse Guests are invited to a Banquet, where for great dainties is first brought a kinde of bread fried and tempered with hony.

Among many other Nuptial ceremonies which the Borussians J. Miletius Religio. Borussorum. use, after they have washed the Brides feet, and with that water sprinkled the Marriage-bed, and all the utensils of the house, and the Guests also, then they anoint her mouth with hony, and covering her eyes with a vail, lead her to all the doors of the house, which they bid her strike with the right foot.

The Russians use many strange Marriage-solem [...]ies. The Religio Russo­rum ad Dom. Chy [...]r [...]um. Priest having a book open before him, sings with a loud voyce one of Davids Psalmes. And then taking hold with his hand on one of the Bridegrooms curled locks, speaks to him after this sort. Tell mee, O Bridegroom, brother, friend, Wilt thou bee this young womans husband, Wilt thou sometimes beat and cudgel her, &c.

Here the Bridegroom solemnly protests to do the office of a good man. And then turning his speech to the Bride, he asketh her, if shee be sufficient for a husband (for their Maids of ten, and eleven years old marry) Will shee have a care of the hous­hold affairs &c. which shee affirms. Then the Priest puts on either of their heads a Garland made of Boughs, in the circum­ference whereof is written in Russe letters, Increase and multiply. While he doth this, many wax candles are lighted, and a bowl full of Mead is then given to the Priest which [...]ee drinks all off to the new coupled at one draught, and they cheerfully pledge him and then return him the cup again.

After many preceding ceremonies, the Bridegroom taking G Fletcher Russe Com­monwealth [...]. 22. the Bride by the hand t [...]ey go on together with their friends after them towards the Church-porch, where hee is met by s [...]me with pots and cups in their hands full of Mead (the Russe proper wine) whereof the Bridegroom taketh first a Cha [...]k or little cup full in his hand and drinketh to the B [...]de, who opening her hood or vail below, putteth the cup to her mouth under­neath [Page 147] it (for being seen of the Bridegroom) pledgeth him again.

The Romans in the Nuptial supper, gave the new married Ovid. l. 4. Fa­storum. Ad. Tu [...]ne [...]. advers. l. 28. c 45 Fulvius Ur­ [...]nu [...]. couple the juyce of Poppy tempered with milk and hony.

The Ancients did use hony in all their Sweet-meats, as wee do Sugar, indeed they knew not what Sugar was.

The Romans used hony in their first service at their feasts, as also in their second. And indeed formerly no kindes of meat, but were with the use of hony made more acceptable.

Pithagoras usually fed on hony, and Hony-combes, because Lilii Greg. Sy [...]ald. Symb, [...] 2. Calvin in Esaiam c. 9. Aristot. de Mi­rabilibus au­scultat. they were prepared without mans labour, and were a kinde of heavenly food.

To this day the Iews give Infants a taste of butter and hony before they suck.

Among the Illirians was first of all the use of Mead, which in Aristotles time the Greeks were scarce acquainted with.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Tree-bony.

THere was anciently, and is still Tree-hony, as well as Bee­hony. And this Tree-hony is of two sorts, either a plenti­full hony-dew, which might bee gathered; or else sweet saps or juices drawn out, or concocted from several sorts of trees and fruits, to the consistence, taste, and likeness of hony.

Of the first sort it is reported that near the Cospian sea, there Mr. Anton. Co [...]ci [...] Sabel▪ lici E [...]n. 4. l. 5. are plenty of trees with leaves like Oaks, yeelding much hony, but it must bee gathered before the rising of the Sun, for the rayes thereof quickly consume, and waste it.

In Arabia Naba [...]bea, they gather hony plentifully of the Diodo. Sic. Bib▪ lioth. l. 19.▪ Trees, which they call Wild hony, of which, mixt with water, they use to drink.

There is a Tree called Occhus in the vallies of Hireania that L. Ve [...]ul. cent. 7. c. 612. distilleth hony in the mornings.

In Lidia there is plenty of hony gathered of the Trees of Arist. de Mira­bil▪ [...]uscul. which the inhabitants make loaves, or lumps of such hard­ness, [Page 156] that without many blows, they cannot bee broken.

The inhabitants of Mount Libanus spread hides under the Mouffet Thea­trum Insect. [...]. 1. c. 5. trees, and then shake and beat them, and after gather up the hony, which they reserve in earthen pots.

The Maguey is a Tree of wonders, it yeelds Hony, Water, J. Acosta na­tural and mo­ral hist. of the Indies l. 4. c. 23. Wine, Oyl, Vinegar, Syrrup, Thred, Needles, and a thousand other things. It is a tree which the Indians esteem much in new Spain, and have commonly in their dwellings some one of them for the maintenance of life: It grows in the fields, and hath great and large leaves, at the ends whereof is a strong and sharp point which serves to fasten little pins, or to sow as a needle. And they draw out of this leaf as it were a kinde of thred which they use. This liquor being sodden, turns like Wine, which grows to Vinegar, suffering it to sowre, and boyling it more, it becomes as hony, and boyling it half, it serves as Syr [...]up.

Below by the root of the Magueis Tree, the Indians make a Hackluits Voyages first part Iob. Hort. hole, whereat they take out twice a day a certain kinde of liquor which they seethe in a great kettle, untill the third part bee consumed, and then it waxeth thick, it is as sweet as any Hen. Hawke ibid. hony. It is not so sweet as the hony (saith another) of Bee [...], but it is better to be eaten with bread.

In and about the City of Themisti [...]an, besides the hony of Fernand. Cort. t [...]sela. 2. relati­on apud Rh [...] ­m [...]s. 3. volum. He [...]eradecad. 8. l. 5. c. 1. Bees, is hony of the Canes of Maiz, which Canes yeeld very much hony, and as sweet as the juyce of the Sugar-cane.

In Sancta Cruse, and the Country about it, which is in the Pro­vince of Tucuman grow sweet Canes, of which they make very good hony.

The fruit of the Palm-trees growing about Iericho, being [...]rod­den Geor. Cedreus hist. compend. Bedade sanct. loc [...] c. 14. and pressed out, yeeld great quantity of hony.

There grow trees in Palestina with broad and round leaves of a milky-colour, and a hony taste, very brittle by nature, which they eat, rubbing them in their hands. This a certain Bishop, Baron. A [...]nal. Eccles. [...]. 10. called Archulphus, who had visited the Holy-land, supposeth to be the wild-hony that Iohn Baptist lived of in the wilderness. But others say, It was a mountain-hony made by wilde Bees, Is [...]dor▪ Pelusiot 132. l. 5. Theophil [...]in Evang. Ma [...]a [...] 3. bitter, and unpleasant to the pallat. Theophilact wilde hony was made by wilde Bees in trees and rocks.

They get the Palm-wine after this sort in Cong [...], they bore a [Page 157] hole near the top of the tree, whence flows a liquor which they Ia [...]tic. Thes [...] ▪ indicu [...]. receive into pots fastened underneath, at first it is in taste and co­lour like milk, it quickly [...]oureth.

In Crangan [...] they make hony of it after this manner, within Novus orbis. Iosophu [...] Indi­cus. three dayes (for after of its own nature, it proves vinegar) they boyl it in Caldrons, or Kettles untill two parts bee wasted, and then it is very sweet hony. Of this hony mixed with water, and purged twenty dayes together, they make an excellent sweet wine. I might speak of the Indian Palm, or Coco-tree, which likewise yeelds hony, but I will adde no more.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Wax.

WAx is either natural or artificial, the natural Wax is the gross part of the combs, containing the hony and Bee-bread, sometimes the Seminaries for generation. And this is either Virgin-wax, or of a courser fo [...]t: the Virgin-wax is that Helle [...]iu [...] l. 6. Institut Chy­rurg. c. 1. which is made by a swarm, or a stock new driven, not that only which is made by the younger Bees, as Hellerius, for they work altogether.

This is called by some Propolis, as Aldrovand. observes out Actuar▪ de compos med [...] of Actuaries. And Scrib [...]nius Largus, It might bee expected, that I should speak somewhat of Propolis, Commosis, Mity, and Pissocera, used anciently in Physick, and supposed to bee made by the Bees. But I can finde no agreement among Philosophers, nor yet Physitians what they are, and am certain that they are not what Aristotle, Pliny, and others determine them to be, and therefore I will leave the discussion to others. Only in a word, Mity saith Aristotle, is the black dross of wax of a sharp Arist. de hist. anim. l. 9. c 64▪ Scalig. com. in loc. smell, I suppose he means the feces of the wax when it is melt­ed and strained; Propolis seems, saith Scaliger a translative sir­name of Mity.

Caza translates it Commosis, but Pliny, make a diffe­rence Plin, lib. 11. [...] 7 between Commosis, and Propolis, wherefore Scaliger was of opinion, that Commosis and Mity were different things.

Scribonius takes Virgin-wax (as before) for Propolis▪ Silva­ticus▪ [Page 150] [...]kes it for the dreggs of the combes, but amiss, saith Mouf­fet, and yet he would have it to be Hive dros [...], but whether of a Swarme or a Stock he declares not; between which is a great difference; Andreas Bellunensis, the filth or dross of the sides of the Hive; I subscribe to Sylva [...]icus; Propolis is as much as sub­urbe dross, with which the Bees fasten the skirts of the Hive to the board; it is not saith Mouffet now to be found.

Waxe is thus made by the Bees; they creeping upon the Flowers with their sangs and tongue, as Aristotle and others say, extract a gummy and viscu [...]us matter, which they receive with their fore-feet, and rubbing them on the thighes of their hind­ [...]ee [...], there fasten it, very little at a time, and scarcely visible.

Mouffet saith, the burden is of the bigness of a le [...]til on either thigh, and that it is of divers colours, according to the nature of the Flowers, yellow, pale, red, Saffron colour, white, black, &c. but hee and many others were mistaken, taking Bee-bread for Waxe.

The best Waxe is somewhat yellow, fat, pure, odoriferous, Dioscor. l. [...]. [...]. [...]. Plin. lib. [...]. c. 14 and expressing in some sort a scent of honie; Dioscorides com­mends the Pontick or Cretan, Pliny commends the Punick, and it is called Punick, saith Iacobus Dalechampius, because it is the whitest.

Artificial Wax is that whereto the perfection of it the skill and industry of man is required, and this is variously perfor­med; Johannes Ang­licus in ro [...]a anglica, lib. 5. c. 1 two waies are set down by Anglicus, First, that the Wax should be often melted, every time taking new water un­til it be white. Another way is thus, that when it is dissolved in the water by the fire, to dip into it a Glass vial, or vessel clean rinsed, and that which sticks to it let it be dried in the Sun, and Moon; and this so long continued until you have ga­thered up all the Wax, and then set it abroad in the open air, for it grows white by the force of the Sun (that I say nothing of water) because so the hony is taken out of it, and those parts ex­pire by whose thinness the colour is made.

Waxe as it is newer, so it is better, for it is more odoriferous, pu [...]rer, and apt to take impressions, Waxe is worst at the bottom, best at the top, so that it be not frothy.

The Bees gather Waxe all the year, from the blowing of the Mr. Remnant. Willow to the I [...]i [...].

[Page 151]In old Waxe saith Aristotle, there is bred small white Crea­tures, the least of creatures, called Acari, in regard of the small­ness, not devisible, I suppose he means Mites, which are bred al­so in many other things.

The Kingdome of Cha [...]dec [...], watered with the river Ganges, Fran [...]is. Fer­nandus is plentifully stored with Waxe, which in abundance the people finde in the Woods, and therewith supply Bengala, and a great part of India.

The Li [...]nia [...] knew not the use of Waxe, and therefore Aloysius Cado­mustus. pressing out the hony threw it away; Cadomustus reports the like ignorance of the Africans in M [...]uritania.

From the Coast of M [...]li [...]dio, near adjoyning to Madagascar, there is brought one thousand five hundred T [...] of Waxe yearly to Indi [...]. Io. Leo, lib. [...]

Tecule [...] a Town of Hea sendeth Waxe into Portingale; and to Temfethne resort ships from Portingale for Waxe.

In F [...] ▪ on Mahome [...]s Birth-day the Schollars of every School, Idem, lib. 3. which are two hundred, celebrate a Feast, when the Fathers are bound to send each man a Torch unto the School, whereupon every Boy carrieth a Torch in his hand, some of which weigh thirty pound; these Torches are most curiously made, being adorned round about with divers fruites, of Waxe, which being lighted betimes in the morning doe burne till Sun rising, when the solemnity ceaseth. This day useth to be very gainful unto the School-masters, for they sell the remnant of the Waxe up­on the Torches for above a hundred Duckets.

The Persians in old time, and also the Africans had a cu­stome Funerall [...] ­tich [...]d [...] Tho▪ [...]. [...] ▪ Goodwin, Rom. antiquit. lib. [...]. c. 7. stome to wrap up in Waxe their dead, that so they might pre­serve them for a long time.

The Romans in the B [...]rial of a Senator or chief Officer, had certaine waxen Images of all his Predecessors carried before him on long Speares.

Wax was much used anciently, to make the Images of emi­nent persons deceased, as also in our daies, which by many cir­cumstances (as appears) were borrowed of the Romans; who when the deceased Emperour was to be consecrated, the whole City gave over all exercises, as if it had been a Festival day; First, they burned the dead Body with sumptuous exequies, and then they made an Image of Waxe as like as was possible to the [Page 160] deceased, and set it in the porch of the Pallace upon a great bed of Ivory, placed aloft, and covered all over with cloth of gold; this Image lay pale on the Bed as if it had been a Sick Person, about the bed sate a great part of the day all the Sena­tors cloathed in black, and on the left side the Ladies, that in re­gard of their Husbands, or Fathers, were most illustrious, and none of them did wear any gold, or any other ornament about their necks, but were all cloathed in pure white garments, and by their countenance seemed very sorrowful, and they continued thus in this guise seven dayes; but every day the Phisitians came to the body, and made shew of feeling the sick Parties pulse, and alwaies reported that he grew worse and worse, until in the end they said he was dead.

As soon as they had declared him dead, the most noble and proper young men of the Order of the Senators and Cavaleers li [...]ted the bed on their shoulders, and carried it by the Sacred way into the ancient Market, where the Romane Magistrates were accustomed to lay by, and renounce their command and authority.

In this place was erected a Tribunal of Wood, which see­med to be of stone, on which was framed a certaine edifice, sustained on every side with Pillars, and variously garnished with Ivory and Gold, on which was laid another Bed with ornaments of Purple and Gold woven together, and about it, were the heads of divers Sea and Land creatures; now in this Bed they placed this Image of Waxe triumphantly adorned, which they had brought from the Pallace, and there stood a very fair youth with a fan of Peacocks Feathers to scare away the Flies, as if the Emperour slept.

In the meane time while the Image lay there, the living Em­perour, the Senate, and their Wives drew near to the Bed, until they were all met together, there the Ladies [...]ate under the Porch, but the Senators open; on both sides of the Market were set up Scaffolds to ascend on, which on one side were a Quite of noble youths, all pa [...]ricians, and on the side a Quite of illustri­ous Women, which sung Hymns and other Songs in honour of the dead, with sad and mournful voyces. But I must play the Procrustes with this Discourse, and referre them that desire to know further, to Dion, or Herodian Greek Historians.

CHAP. XXV. Observations and Discourses Historical, and Fabulous.

BEfore the battel of Phasilon Bees lighted on the Altar, and also Rosir [...]s Ro­man. Antiq. l. 3. c. 9. Dion Rom▪ histol. 41. Appian l. [...]. Iulius Capito­linus. on the ships, pres [...]ging Pomp [...]es overthrow; and therefore when in the Army of Bru [...]us, there setled a swarm of Bees, the South-sayers bad him to shift his Camp, le [...]t hee should re­ceive loss and damage in that place.

All the Statues of Antoninus Pius in Hetruria were fil­led with swarms of Bees, which were ominous presages of his Empire.

It was ever esteemed as an ill omen for swarms of Bees to Cornel. Taci­tus l. [...]. light in places where they were not accustomed, and therefore reported as a presage of the death of Cloudius, that a swarm of Bees setled on the Capitol.

One speaking of the prodigies that did precede the battel of Silius Italicus. Canna, saith, that swarms of Bees lighted on their Ensignes.

Among the many Prodigies ominating Brutu [...]'s destruction, Appian de be [...] ­lo civili l. 4. Plin. swarms of Bees lighted in his Camp. Swarms of Bees settled in the Camp of Diusus when hee fought prosperously at Arbala.

Ambrose sleeping in his swadling cloaths having his mouth Baronius Annal. Eccles. [...]. 10. Cicero divina. [...]. Val Max. l. [...]. c 6. [...] Sa [...]isher. de nugis cu [...]l l. [...]. c 13. Iustin l. [...]3. [...] [...] ▪ s [...] de n [...]gis curi [...]l. l. [...]. c▪ 13. open, a swarm of Bees came and setled on his mouth, which the father and mother walking by, forbad the Maid that tended him to brush off, where a while continuing, at last they flew up into the air, untill they could bee seen no more.

Pla [...] sleeping in his swadling cloaths, the Bees brought hony to his lips, foretelling the singular sweetness of his elo­quence.

Hiero sometimes chief Magistrate of Sicilia the son of Hier [...]cli [...]u [...], a Noble-man, who drew his original from Celus, an ancient Tyrant of Sicily, but his mothers stock was mean [Page 162] and contemptible, for hee was born of a Maid-servant, and therefore as a disparagement to his fathers race, was cast forth, whom the Bees (wanting all humane help) sed with hony, which being known, the father by the A [...]gurs counsell received again, and brought up as the Heir of the Kingdome.

Aelian citing Anten [...]r, reports that the inhabitants of a cer­tain Aelian l. 2. c. 53 City in Cr [...]ta were forced to forsake their dwellings by certain Bees called Chosichoides, which did miserably molest, and sting them.

The Citizens of Marra, two dayes journey from Antlich, Willer▪ Tyr▪ archiep [...] ▪ [...]i [...]t▪ lib. [...]9. & R [...]imun [...] ▪ de Agiles Hist Franc [...] [...]um Appi [...]n de bello Mith [...]y­dat. Bonfin. l. 4. de­ [...]ad. 3. being besieged by Go [...]frey Duke of Bullen, among other things which they threw over the walls to drive away their enemies, cast over Hives full of Bees.

Lucul [...]us Army besieging Themis [...]yra scituate on the banks of the River Thermod [...]o [...], and by Mines seeking to overthrow the w [...]lls, the inhabitants opened them above, and threw in Hives of Bees among them to their great trouble and vexation.

When Amu [...]ah the Great Turk besieged Alba Greca, the Inhabitants, besides other things, cast Hives of Bees among the Turks, whereby they were greatly annoyed.

A Captain of the Emperours being besieged by Giselbert Vitichindus l. 1 gest. Sax. the King of Lorrain, restrained the enemies when they entred the place, by casting hives of Bees; for the horses being en­raged with their st [...]n [...]s, overthrew their Riders, or were alto­ther unserviceable.

Lupus Barriga warring with the M [...]ors in Mauritania, and O orius de [...]e [...] bus Em [...]n. l. 8. besieging a Town called Torn [...]t, the Inhabitants being at the last cast, threw over the walls abundance of hives of Bees, set on fire, wherewith the P [...]r [...]ng [...]ls were so burnt, and stung, that they were forced to give over, with the wounding of their Ge­neral, and many others.

Cozenours and Cheaters were thus anciently punished, they Suida [...]. divested the guilty person of his cloaths, and then anointed him with hony all over his body, and set him in the Sun with his hands and feet fast bound, that by many reiterated stingings, and the Suns heat, they might receive a death, worthy of their life. Georgius Brawn l. 4. u [...]bium pre [...]i­ [...]ar.

In Sivil a City of Spain; if a woman bears her husband▪ shee is carried on an Ass through the City naked from the g [...]dle-sted [Page 163] upwards, and being first anointed with hony, besides other des­pights, and injuries, suffers not a little misery from the Bees, Waspes, and Flies that molest and sting her.

Marcus an old man in the reign of Constantine, overthrew Theo [...]dore. l. 3. c. 7. an Idol Temple at Arethusa, and was taken under Iulian the Apostate, and first scourged on his naked body, and after other punishments, in the last place put in a basket, being all over anointed with hony, and so set abroad, whom the Bees (thinking hee had robbed them) stung therefore to death.

Hermonay the son of Amymer, and Lysodic [...] being a childe, and coming to the Hives to rob the Bees, was killed with their stings.

Onesilus the brother of Gorgus King of Salami [...] in the Isle Herodot. Hall­ear. Terpsicho­re. l. 5. of Cyprus, fighting against Artybius a Persian General, was slain, and his head cut off, and hanged over the gates of Ama­thusium, a City in the same Island, which hee had sometimes be­fore besieged; into which when it was empty, a swarm of Bees entred, and filled it with combs, this is reported at a Prodigy (and doth not prejudice the cleanliness of Bees) for con­sulting the Oracle, they advised to take down the head and bury it.

Livonia is replenished with stately Woods, and those fur­nished Purchas Pil­grims 3. part. l. 3. c 20. with industrious Bees, which sometimes being nume­rous, are put to hard shifts for habitations. Mr. Barkley an English Merchant, did in one of these Woods eat hony out of a mans skull, wherein a swarm of Bees were, and bred as it hanged.

It is reprorted that in the Sepulchre of Hippocrates, the Prince of Physitians, for a long time a swarm of Bees lived, and wrought hony in it, and that this happened extraordinarily, is concluded, because that Nurses anointing childrens mouths near the grave, with the hony easily cured them.

D [...]onisius the son of Hermocrates swimming over a River Aelian. var. hist. l. 12. c. 40. upon his horse, his horse was mired, and could not bee pulled out by any means, hee leaped off his back, and go [...] safely to the ba [...]k, and so forsook the horse as no longer his: But the horse followed after, and neighed, whereupon he returned, and when h [...]old on his Ma [...]o mount up, a swarm of Bees encom­pass [...]d his hand, which hung on his Man [...] a presage of his future command and Empire.

[Page 164]The Tr [...]ph [...]nion Oracle was thus found out: When as a P [...]usanias in Beoticis. year or two together, there was no rain, some were sent from every City to Delphos to implore help. To whom desiring a remedy for the drought, Apoll [...] commanded them to go to Labadea, and seek a remedy for their evill of Trophonius. Go­ing therefore to Labadea, but not able to finde the Oracle. S [...]on one of the Ambassadors an old man, when he had espied a swarm of Bees, resolved to follow them withersoever they went. When therefore hee saw them flying to a Cave, hee en­tred in, and understood that place was the Oracle which they sought for.

Comates feeding the flock of his rich Master in Sicily; was Theocritus l 1. [...]rat. Eidyl. 7. sometimes accustomed to offer somewhat of his flock to the Muses; which when his Master knew, hee reproved him very sharply, whom Comates intreats not to bee angry, for by the Muses help there should be a large remuneration. Go to, saith his Master, let us make trial whether the Muses will feed thee, and inclosed him in a hollow tree, and there left him to perish with famine. And at the years end returning, found his servant alive, and well, and many Hony-combs about him, for the Bees by a hole had entred into the tree, and maintained him.

The Bee master being absent, one came and stole the combes Aesop. Fab. 85. out of the Hive, who afterwards returning found his Bees plun­dered, and while he stood still a while to examine and corsider concerning the author of i [...]: The Bees came home from work and finding their house robbed, and him standing by, did fal upon him, and cruelly sting him. To whom hee thus spake, Oh you wicked creatures, you let go unhurt him that robbed you, and punish mee [...]t a [...]am careful of your safety.

Melissa one of the Oread Nymphs finding Hony-combes in Natal. Com. Mythyolog. l. 5. c. 11. Pelopenesus, invited her follows to taste thereof, with the sweet­ness whereof they were so ravished that the Grecians called the Bees by the name of that Nymph.

Iacobus Sanno [...]arius that excellent Poet, hath his figure cut Sands relat. l. 4. to the life in Mergelli [...]a (near Naples where he lived) from whose mouth the Bees do seem as it were to suck hony.

Livy doth relate that there was found two Coffins of lead in Tet [...]inius. a tomb, whereof one contained the body of King N [...]ma; be­ing some four hundred years after his death; and the other his [Page 165] books of sacred Rites and Ceremonies. And that in the Coffin that had the body, there was nothing at all to bee seen, but a little light cinders about the sides, but in the Coffin that had the books, they were found as fresh as if they had been but newly written, covered over with watch candles of wax, three or fourfold.

Agesipolis a King of the Lacedemonian [...] dying of a Feaver Xenophon de rebus gestis Grecorum, l. 5. near the City of Clynthia was preserved in hony, and so carried to Sparta, where hee had a royal Funeral.

Claudius Caesar had a Hippocentaure, a Monster, part horse, Cael. Rhod. lect. ant. l. 6. c. [...] par bull, brought out of Egyp in hony, which Pli [...]y saith he saw.

A [...]s [...]ith the widow of King Edgar, sometimes Monarch of this Island, traiterously slue King Edward his son, that her son Rob. Gleces­trensis. Ethelred his brother in law might (as hee did) succeed him. Some ten years of age was hee when his brother Edward was slain, and hee out of childish affection wept for him bitterly; which his mother extreamly disliking, being author of the murther, onely for his sake, most cruelly, beat him her self, with a handfull of Wax-candles. So that hee would never endure Vit. S. Ed apud Ranulph. Cestren. l. 6. Wax-candles. But another Writer saith that Ethelred would never endure any Wax-candles, because hee had seen his mother unmercifully with them, whip his brother in Law, King Edward, either report may bee true.

Now the Sword and Scepter is taken from the Iews, instead Purchas Pil­grimage l. 2. c. 19. ex Bux­torf. of other penalties they inflict sharp penances according to the nature of the crime. Thus the Adulterer satisfieth for his hot lust in cold water, wherein hee is enjoyned to sit some Winter dayes; and if the water bee frozen, the Ice is cut out, and hee set therein up to his chin, as long as an egge is roasting. In Summer time hee is set naked in an ant-hill his nose, and ears stopped, and after washeth himself in cold water. If the penance seem lighter, they enjoyn him further to run through a swarm of Bees, and when the swelling of his body through their stinging is abated, he must do it again, and again, accord­ing to the measure of his offence. If hee hath often that way offended, hee is bound to indure that penance many years.

Hunding the 23. King of Sweadland, upon a false report of Krantzius. his brother in Law Hadings death, King of Denmark, invited all his Nobility to a sumptuous feast, to conclude which, hee [Page 166] had provided a very large vessel of Mead, of which hee drew out himself to them untill they were all drunk, and then in token of love to his supposed dead friend, plunged himself into the vessel, and so was willingly drowned (but ridiculously and I. Magnus hist. Suconum. foolishly) some applaud and prefer him therefore, before many heroical Greeks and Romans.

Hostilia is a Town in Italy, watered by the River P [...], the Plin. Nat. hist. l. 21. c. 12. inhabitants whereof (when meat for Bees grows scarce about them) carry their Hives into Boats, and by night convey them up five miles against the stream. In the morning the Bees go forth to their work, and so do they shift places, ascending up the River, till by the sinking of the Boat, they know their Hives to bee full of hony, and then return they home, and take it.

What is the reason why among the Sarma [...]ians there is Ambros. Leo Problem. 180. plenty of hony, and in Africa small store of Bees? And hee renders this as a reason, the plenty of trees, and variety of flowers, which in a few dayes after the snow is dissolved, em­broider all the fields, and the many Fountains and Rivers where­with they are much delighted.

Whereas in Africa, the fruits and the flowers by the violent heat are quickly withered, and the waters are scarce, so that of necessity those things being wanting wherein Bees delight, there must needs bee few, or in some places none at all. His reason is not worth an answer, had hee been read in history, hee might have learned the contrary. Io. Leo, Ioa [...]n dos santos would have (besides many other credible Authors) convinced him of the plenty of Bees in Africa. But no wonder if hee were a stranger abroad that was ignorant of Countries near home.

Hee affirms that in Germany, France, Britain, Italy, there are none, or few Bees, because (if you will beleeve him) there are few trees, fruits, waters.

In Angola they have great store of hony, which they thus Andrew B [...]tel in Purchas Pilgrims se­cond part 17. c. 3. procure, they hang in the top of the Eliconde tree a hollow peece of wood, or chest, which the wilde Bees being there nu­merous, quickly finde, and laboriously fill once in a year with hony and wax; which the Negroes then take with smoke, re­warding the industrious creatures with robbery, exile, death.

It will not bee altogether impertinent to give you a descripti­on [Page 167] of this tree, with which the Bees are more delighted than any other. The Eliconde-tree is very tall, and exceeding great, some as big as twelve men can fathome; spreading like an Oak, some of them are hollow, and from the liberal skies, receive such plenty of water, that they are hospitable entertainers of thousands in that thirsty Region. Once have I known three or four thousand remain at one of those trees, and thence receiving all their warry provision. The Negroes climb up with pegs of hard wood (which that softer easily receiveth, the smoothness, not admitting other climbing) and I think that some one tree holds forty run of water. This tree affords no less bountiful hos­pitality to the back, than belly, yeelding (as her belly to their bel­lies) her back to their backs, excepting that this is better from the younger trees, whose tenderer backs being more seasonable for discipline, are soundly beaten for mans fault; whence came the first nakedness, whereby one fat home cut from the tree, is extended into twenty, and is presently fit for wearing, though not so fine as the the Iuzanda tree yeelds, which▪ yeelds excel­lent cloath from the inner bark.

This tree is alwayes green, of a strange form, especially in the Linschoten [...]. Book. branches that grow very high, and cast down very small threds, which touching the earth do bring forth roots, from whence other plants o [...] trees do spring forth most abundantly in great numbers. By like beating of their Palm, they make Velvets, Sattins, Taffeties, &c. But I deviate too far from my sub­ject. Beat Rhenan. annot. in 1. lib. Tertul. advers. Marcion. And Thevet. Gosmograph [...] de Levant. c. 7.

The burning of Waxen-candles on Candlemass-day had its original from the Roman Sacrifices called Pebruals.

Bears are much tormented in their eyes, which is a principal cause why they so much desire to eat hony out of the Hives, that being prickt, and stung with the Bees, their throat, especi­ally receives a phlebotomy, or blood-letting, for they have no better remedy to ease their brain and eyes burdened, and over­charged with humo [...]s.

In the Island of S [...]ylan are certain barbarous people called Texeira l. 1. c. 35. Pa [...]bus, they live naked in the woods and thickets, their principal food is Dears flesh, whereof there is great abundance, which they shoot and kill with their arrows, and cutting them in peeces, filling the trunks of old hollow trees with hony, whereof they [Page 168] have plenty, then they put the flesh therein, and let it remain there till times of necessity, and then eat it, conserving it onely in the hony, without any corruption.

In the Country of Benin on the coast of Africa, is such plen­ty Hackluit [...] Voyages, 2. part of the 2 Volume. of hony, that the Natives bring to the English trading there, earthen pots of the quantity of two gallons full of hony, and hony-combs for a hundred shells.

About Sofala, and generally in the Oriental Ethiopia, breed Joaon. dos Santos liuro primeiro da Ethiop. Orient c. 23. Zangaons (if I be not not mistaken, Bees) after this manner. They make a ball of clay, and stick it in the walls or tiles of their houses, with many holes after the fashion of a Bees, or Waspes-comb, and in every hole they put a Worm or Maggot, like those that breed in Cabbages, some green, others black, others white, others gray; so that they are not all of one kinde, or cast; but whatsoever they finde, they take and carry it unto the comb that they have made of clay, and in every hole they put a worm, and stop it up with fresh clay, and so inclose all the worms in their several cells, and there within they generate other Zangaons, (or Bees) (understand by generation of others, onely their transmutation, whereby they are others from what they were, and the following words import as much) with legs and wings, which when they are perfected, eat through the clay, and come forth, and slye, and after they are grown great, they make a like brood. So that of strange children of divers casts or kindes, they make proper children. A thing, saith the Author which much amazed mee. But whether these make hony, or are any wayes beneficial to them, the Relator is silent; but being a general practice, it is more than probable that they are some way profitable.

Great is the profit of Bees in some places, Varro reports of Varro. two brethren in Spain, who had left them by their father a little Farm house, and about an Acre of ground which they reple­nished with Bees, and seldome made less of their hony, then ten thousand Ses [...]ertia yearly, a prodigious, and I think un­parelleld increase.

Menna a Hermite in the Province of the Samnites, had for his subsistence, only a few Hives of Bees, which when a Lo [...]gobard thief had stoln, he was possest of the Devil, till Menna by his prayers freed him.

[Page 169] Heraclius the Emperour having Warre with the Persia [...]s, Baron. annal. Eccles. [...]. 8 and wanting mony (the people being before impoverished by him, sent one Nicotas to Alexander the Patriarch to borrow of him the Treasures of that Church (as he did of others) who notwithstanding his refusal, carried away all he could finde but only one hundred pound of Gold; but while they were going a­way with it, there were certaine men that brought, as a Present, several Pots of Hony (which by a Miracle) to supply the Pa­triarks necessities, when they opened them they found all turned into Gold.

I subscribe not to some Papists, who pretend there is a Valfridus, Strabus, lib. 2. in vita S. Galli. great Majesty in their Holies (whole-lyes) from the burning of Waxen Candles, and that waxe candles for that purpose used, cannot without great Sacriledge be taken away.

A certaine Country-man stole a waxe candle from the Altar, and found it turned into a stony hardness, whereby melting, he acknowledged his guilt before many that stood by, and the waxe candle recovered his former softness. I might be large in such Legendary relations, but these are enough, if not too many.

CHAP. XXVI. Observations Physical and [...]hyrurgical.

THe use of Hony with Bread to old folks makes them live long for it keeps and preserves all the senses sound and entire. It is reported that Pollio being asked by what means men might live long and healthy, answered, by anoynting their outward parts with Oyle, their inward parts with Hony. The fruit therefore of the Bees, saith Ambrose, is desired of all, and is equally sweet to Kings and Beggers; and it is not only pleasing to Princes, but also profitable and healthful, it sweetens their mouthes, cures their wounds, and convaies remedies to inward Ulcers.

Democritus continued his life with the frequent eating of Hony; and bread with Hony was the Pythagorians meat. [Page 170] Aristoxenu [...] said, they might live long without Diseases who Atheneus dipnosophist. l. 2. c. 3 Gorop. Becant Nilostop. lib. 3 always sed of it at dinner.

Goropius commends the hony gathered of the Heath, before the Spanish hony gathered of Ladanum, and divers kindes of Costus, and that because it is sweeter, and not so hot as the hony gathered of Stechados and Thyme; it opens obstructions, at­tenuates gross and thick, cuts and cleanseth viscuous humours, and is especially profitable for those that are troubled with the spleen.

Pliny most of all commends that hony which the Bees gather in the Dogg-dayes, almost thirty dayes after the Solstice, for saith he, after the rising of every Starre, especially the greater ones, or the Raine-bow, if showers follow not, and there be a warme dew with the rayes of the Sun, Medicines, not hony are produced, heavenly gifts for the eyes, ulcers, and bowels, which if it be preserved, the Dogge-star being risen, and if by chance it fall out in the same day there be a rising of Venus, or Iupiter, or Mercury, there is no such sweetness nor vertue in the suppo­sed heavenly Nectar, to keep Mortals from Diseases, though otherwise deadly; but we have little of this in our Country, where the Hony-gathering is then almost finished, but that which is found in the lower parts of the combes, and some little that is not shut up with waxen covers.

Hony is hot and dry in the second degree, wherefore Galen forbids it such as were Hectical, have a Feaver, or the Jaun­dies, and young men; but commends it very much in cold ef­fects, and prescribes it to such as had moyst stomacks, for mo­derately eating of it, it wonderfully nourisheth, and causeth both a good colour and constitution.

Hony with age or long boyling becomes bitter; it gives life to Wine when it is flat, Flowers, Fruites, and all simple and com­pound Medicines by mixture of it are preserved from putre­faction.

Hony corrupts by crumbes of Bread, and therefore they that sell hony, are careful lest children passing by dip their bread in it, and so it is transmuted into Ants, or little Creatures like them, if we beleeve Paracelsus. Paracelsus. Hippocrat.

Hony mixt with other things nourisheth, and makes a good colour, but eaten alone attenuates rather than refresheth, for it [Page 171] provoketh urine, and purgeth too much.

Hony warmes and cleares Wounds and Ulcers, attenuates Galen & Avicen. and discusseth excrescencies in any part of the body.

It is very effectual to produce hair in baldness, for Quotidian Galen. Agues, especially oyle of hony distilled.

Distilled water of hony makes a smooth skin, provokes urine, diminisheth heat in Feavers, easeth the obstructions of the bowels, quencheth thirst.

The salt of hony of all Corrosives is least painful, and most energetical, and therefore in the flesh of the yard by Chymicks, and expert Chyrurgians especially commended.

The Epicures who chiefly studied health and pleasure, did eat continually Ambrosia, which consisted of a tenth part of Tzeizes. honie, as Tzetzes reports, concluding that the daily use there­of would prevent griefs, and keep them free from Dis­eases.

Hony infused warme by it self wonderfully helps, exulcerated Galenus. ears, especially if they cast forth ill favours, as also their singings and inflammations.

Hony, Butter, and Oyle of Roses, of each a like quantity Marcellus Empyricu [...]. warme, helps the paine of the ears; he also commends Hony, and infants dung brayed together in the dulness of the sight, and for white spots in the eyes.

The rheume or droppings of the eyes in men or horses are Vigetius: hereby helped, I have cured a Horse stone blinde with Hony and Salt, and a little crock of a pot mixed, in less than three daies, it hath eaten off a tough filme, and the Horse never com­plained after.

Hony wherein Bees are drowned, or Ashes of the heads of Marcellus Empyrious. Bees, with hony, clear the eyes; A [...]tick hony, with the first dung of a young infant, and the milk of the Nurse mingled toge­ther, and annoynt the eyes that are dull upon what occasion so­ever, but first binde the party, for such is the violence of the Medicine that he cannot otherwise patiently endure it, and the benefit is so forcible, that in the third day it wil make a clear sight.

Nothing is better for infants that breed Teeth, or in the Ulcers of the mouth than butter and hony; Galen prescribes only the gums to be rub'd with it, for it conduceth wonderfully to the [Page 172] generation, conservation, and whiteness of teeth: for difficulty of breathing, and to cause spitting, hony alone or mixed, is very Hippocrat. availeable.

Hony boyled with Bees, or new Cheese, stayeth a looseness, Galenus & Celsus. Abynzoar. helps the Bloudy-flux and Chollick. But before hony be used it is necessary to clarifie it; Thus, take of hony and fountaine wa­ter of each two pound, continually scum it as it ariseth, to the consumption of the water, afterwards clarifie it with the whites of twelve eggs.

Hony nourisheth not only because it is a kinde of nourishment, Valleriola in locis com. lib. 3 but also because mixed with other things, it is a cause that they are more easily carried through the body; and he counsels old men to use it much, if they would have a care of their health, and live long without Diseases, and he asserts it by the examples of Antiochus the Phisitian, and Telephus the Grammarian, who were old men, and did eate Attick hony and bread; and Galen Galen lib. 3. de sanitat [...]uend. c. 4. &c. 8 testifieth the same, with often eating hony boyled, seldome raw, and yet Galen forbids long, or too much boyling, because it will make it bitter.

Celsus reckons up boyled hony among such things as stop a Cornelius Celcus, lib. [...]. c. 3 Lask, the reason is, because the acrimony by boyling is taken a­way, which is wont to move the belly, and to diminish the ver­tue of the food.

The bodies of Bees taken newly from the Hives, and pow­dered, and drunk with Diuretick wine, powerfully cures the Dropsie, and breaks the Stone, opens the fountaines of urine, and heals and helps the stoppages in the bladder.

Bees drowned in hony, and so killed, stay vomitings, and are profitable for deafness.

Bees powdered cure the Wind-collick, mollifie hard ulcers in the lips, and also the Bloudy-flux.

Hony mixed with powdered Bees and so taken, is helpful for Holler [...]u [...]. the crudities of the stomack, it is also good for the stomach.

Pound Bees dead and dry in the combes, mingle them with Galen in Eu­poristis. hony, and annoynt bald places of the head, and the hairs wil spring afresh.

The ashes of Bees ground with oyle, make hair white. [...]rotis, c. 6. de mo [...]bis mu­lieb [...].

Take twelve or fourteen Bees powdered, in any thing every morning, and it helps such whose retentive faculty is weak, so that they cannot hold their water.

[Page 173]Oxymel is made of water, vinegar, and hony, now water is Mesue. mingled with it, that by long boyling that may be resolved or loo­sened which the windiness raiseth up, and that it may be more readily skimmed. In a word, that the working of the Medicine, by the mixing of water might be weaker, and more easily dis­persed into the body, and hony is added to resist the [...]legme.

One ounce of hony and vinegar mixed together ariseth a certain third faculty which was in neither of them before, which is most powerful and certaine to attenuate, cut, resolve thick and tough excrements, which have been bred a long time in the Stomack and Liver, and those that settle on the joynts, and cause lasting Agues.

It is made thus, take of vinegar one part, two parts hony, and twice as much water as hony; first, let the hony and water be boyled, and when they have been well skimmed put in the vinegar, and boyle them still, continually skimming them, let them boyle till there be an unity of qualities, and the vinegar be Galen. lib. 4, de sanitat. t [...] ­end. not raw, or crude, it is given from one ounce to three; Galen saith, if you will make it the stronger, adde as much vinegar as hony; it drives out thick and gross humours, and is profitable for the Sciatica, Falling-sickness, and the Gout; good also to gargarize with, in a Squinancy.

Water distilled of hony four times by a Limbick, so that the hony were first boyled, makes beautiful hair, kills Lice and Nits; the hair wet there with doth not only become yellow, but softer, and increaseth likewise, especially if it bee done in the Sun; it heals swollen or bloud-shotten eyes, and helps the hurt corners of the eyes, it is excellent for burnt places, most of all for such as are soft and tender, so that no scar will be left.

It must be distilled in a Glass Still, but first mixe with it pure and well washed Sand, and make a soft fire. The first water is cast away, the second is preserved, which hath a gol­den colour, and red at the last; the red purgeth out corruption in putrid wounds if they be washed with it, and a linnen cloth moystened in it, be laid upon them, and when it hath purged them, it produceth flesh.

Hony when it is distilling is wont to swell, and flow over when it grows hot, this is prevented when the distillation is performed by a woodden Sieve (made with hair) being [Page 174] placed within the cover, so that it toucheth the hony.

Reubeus distilleth it otherwise, and adds other cautions: he Hieron. Ru­beus, sect. 2. c. 8 saith, the water is with difficulty drawne out of the hony, be­cause it readily as the fire grows hot, ascends to the top; wherefore some mingle glass with it, others sand, the most doe annoynt the Still within with oyle; but it is best distilled espe­cially where they purpose to use the dregg [...], by wetting linnen cloathes in water continually, and spreading them on the head and sides of the Still, and a soft fire below, by which the swel­ling thereof is resisted, and leaving much vacu [...]ty and empti­ness in the Still, so that it be filled a fifth, or at the most a fourth part; but because sometimes a larger fire is necessary, the cucurbite must be well crusted with clay. It is excellent for a Catarrh, Cough, Spleen, &c.

Oyle also is distilled out of hony, let hony in the combes bee Andernacus dial. 7. com. 2 put into an earthen vessel, and well macerated in warme Horse­dung, until the waxe being separated from the hony, swims a­lost, which being taken off, let some Flint stones be mi [...]gled with the hony, and little peeces of glass; the first water when it is distilled is very sharp, and then comes the oyle. It is singu­lar for the Gout, and for the cure of all Wounds.

Oyle of Waxe is thus made, let two pound of new odorise­rous Aldr. lib. [...] ▪ de Insect. waxe be melted in a Frying-pan, and then poured out into a vessel filled with Muskadine, or other generous Wine, and let it continue there until it be cold, after taken out and squeezed well with your hands, and againe melted and poured into the Wine as before, and let it be seven times reiterated; and then let it be melted againe, and three handfuls of beaten Bricks put into it, let them be well mixed together, and being all cold, let them be put into a Glass Limbeck well stopt with clay, and the joynts well lined therewith, that there be no expiration; then let a little fire be made underneath until the Cytron phlegme ceaseth to run, and then let another vessel be set under, and the fire a little increased, until the drops be first thick, and then of a Cytron colour; and lastly, drop true oyle of waxe, and let this be received in a proper vessel, mixed with the thick droppings, and let it be made thick, and like butter congealed. And now the fire must be enlarged until thick drops dot againe distill, which as soon as you see let the vessel that receiveth the [Page 175] oyle bee removed, and another placed to receive the re­mainder.

Oyle of wax heals the cracks and chaps of the lips or paps, Mizaldus ap­pendix ad cen­tutias. and hinder not the childe from sucking, and take off all super­fluous excrescences by drying, and are especially good in cold griefes. It is good for them that are troubled with the stone, provokes urine, helps the Palsie, Sciatica, contracted nerves by anointing or drinking of it; kills worms of all sorts, helps the pain of the back, cures a distempered spleen, a drop injected into the nostrils opens their obstruction. It conserves the memory, confirms the brain, asswageth the Toothach, brings forth the dead or living childe, opens the veynes, frees the lungs from thick superfluities, with sirrup of Violets, helps the Astmatick, cures running eyes, &c.

Wax, saith Galen, after a sort, holds a middle of things that Galen lib. 7. de simpl. heat, cool, moisten, and dry, and hath some kinde of thick and stopping parts, and therefore it may seem not onely to dry, but by accident also perhaps to moisten, hindring perspirations; and therefore is the matter both of heating, and also cooling medicines, and although forbidden to bee taken inwardly, yet some make Pills of wax, and others mix it with other costives, and give it for a violent loosness.

Dioscorides prescribes it in broth for ulcers of the bowels, for Dioscorid. l. 2▪ c. 75. all wax saith hee, mollifies heats, moderately fills the bodies (which as Dalechampius expounds, produceth flesh) in hol­low Dalechamp. l. 22. c. 24. ulcers, and Pliny confirms the same.

New wax, and soft, saith Galen, is better than old, for medicines; yellow wax for the aery nature, doth mollifie, more loosen, and resolve the malady. And therefore new wax is often prescribed, for being often melted, it loseth the aery nature, is more earthly, and answers white wax: And white wax is most refrigerating, is most profitable for inflamed rains where the matter is to bee repelled, which yet, saith Aldrovandus, is neglected by practitioners in Physick.

There may bee admirable baths made of hony, which are Mr. Remnant. excellent for Aches, and strong Itches, Mr. Remnant saith, that a friend of his had such a foul itch, that hee was like a Leper, whom hee thus cured:

Hee took an empty Wine cask, called a Pipe, and took out [Page 176] one head, and made a liquor of water and hony, making it pretty strong with the hony, and heat it as hot as hee could en­dure to stand in it, and put it into the Pipe, and caused him to stand in it up to his neck a pretty while, and this hee did three dayes one after another, and hee was recovered as clear as ever. The like experience hee made for Aches. If they bee renewed with a little hony every day it will bee better.

In the Northern Regions are few Physicians, but the health­full Olao Magno hist. delle cose sep [...]entrion, l. 22. c. 16. aire, wholesome food, and especially their Mead are instead of the best physick.

Mead, the elder it is, being well boyled, some say, ten, or twelve years old, is most sovereign, and a present remedy for many diseases.

Mead, or Hydromel is of two sorts, the weaker, and the Butler Fem. Mon. part, 2. stronger, Mead, and Metheglin.

For the making of Mead, if the Must, when it is altogether, bee not strong enough to bear an egg, the breadth of two pence above it, then put so much of your course hony into it, as will give it that strength, which is sufficient for ordinary Mead. And afterwards untill night, ever now and then stir it well about the tub: According to the quantity that you will make, so must you add a proportionable measure of hony and water, namely six of water for one. The learned Physitian Lobel, requireth this Mathi [...]s de Lobel. proportion of six to one to bee boyled to four. His receit of Spices is Cinamon, Ginger, Pepper, Grains, Cloves, ana two drams. The second morning put to the Must the scum of the hony, stir all together, and stop the tub a little back­ward. When it hath setled an hour or two, draw it out to bee boyled. And when you see the grounds begin to come, stay and let the rest (save the very thick grounds, which cast to your Bees) run into some vessell by it self, which when it is settled, pour out into the boyling vessel through the clean sieve, and east out these grounds also into you garden.

This Must being set over a gentle fire, when you see the scum gathered thick all over, and the bubbles at the side, begin to break it, having slacked the fire, to cease the boyling, skim it clean. Then presently make a fresh fire to it: And when you see the second scum ready, having slacked the fire again, take it quickly away; then make to it the third fire, and let it boyl to [Page 177] the wasting of a fourth part, if it bee made of the washing of combs; and to the wasting of one fifth or sixth part, if it be made of clean hony; not ceasing in the mean space to take off the scum as clean as you can. One hours boyling may suffice; but if the Mead bee of clean hony, it may as well bee done in half the time. Instead of twice slacking the fire, you may twice cool the boyling Must with cold Must reserved; or else bee sure that it do boyl all the while onely at one side, and not all over. After all this put in the Spices, viz. to a dozen gallons of the skimmed Must, Ginger one ounce, Cynamon half an ounce, Cloves, and Mace ana two drams, Pepper, and Grains, ana one dram, all gross beaten, the one half of each being sowed in a bag, the other loose, and so let it boyl a quarter of an hour more.

The end of boyling is throughly to incorporate the boorn and the hony, and to purge out the dross, which being once done, any longer boyling is unprofitable, as diminishing more the quantity than increasing the strength and goodness of the Hydromel.

As soon as it is boyled enough, take it from the fire, and set it a cooling; the next day when it is setled, pour it through a hair sieve, or linnen bag into the tub (reserving still the Lees for the Bees) and there let it stand covered three or four dayes till it work, and let it work two daies. Then draw it through the tapwaze, and run it into a barrel scalded with Bay-leaves, ma­king the Spice-bag fast at the tap. If there remain much grounds, you may purifie them by boyling and skimming, as be­fore; but this will never bee so good as the first, and therefore you may put it by it self, or with some remainder of the best, into a small vessel to spend first before it be soure. If the Mead bee not much, you may run it the next day, and let it work in the barrel. Being tunned it will in time bee covered with a mother; which if by jogging the vessel, or by other means it bee broken, the Mead will turn sowre. But so will it make excellent vinegar, and the sooner, if it bee set in the Sun, which the longer you keep, the better it will bee.

Metheglin is the more generous or stronger Hydromel, for it bear­eth an egg the breadth of a groat or sixpence, and is usually made of finer hony, with a less proportion of water namely four measures [Page 178] for one; receiying also in the composition as well certain sweet, and wholesome herbs, as also a larger quantity of Spices, namely to every half barrel, or sixteen gallons of the skimmed Must, Eglantine, Marjerom, Rosemary, Time, Winter-savoury, ana half an ounce; and Ginger two ounces, Cynamon one ounce, Cloves, and Mace ana half an ounce, Pepper, Graines, ana two drams, the one half of each being bagged, the other boyled loose. So that whereas the ordinary Mead will searce last half a year; good Metheglin the longer it is kept, the more de­licate, and wholesome it will bee; and withall▪ the clearer and brighter.

One excellent receit, I will here recite, and it is that which our renowned Queen of happy memory did so well like, that she would every year have a vessel of it.

First, Gather a bushel of Sweet-briar leaves, and a bushel of Time, half a bushel of Rosemary, and a peck of Bay-leaves; See the al these, being well washed, in a furnace of fair water; let them boyl the space of half an hour, or better; and then poure out all the water and herbs into a fat, and let it stand till it bee but milk-warm, than strain the water from the herbs, and take to every six gallons of water, one gallon of the finest hony, and put it into the boorn, and labour it together half an hour, then let it stand two dayes, stirring it well twice or thrice each day. Then take the liquor and boyl it a new; and when it doth see the, skim it as long as there remaineth any dross. When it is clear, put it into the fat, as before, and there let it bee cooled. You must then have in readiness a tub of new Ale, or Beer, which as soon as you have emptied, suddenly whel [...] it upside down, and set it up again, and presently put in the Metheglin, and let it stand three dayes a working, and then tun it up in barrels, tying at every tap hole by a Pack-thred, a little bag of Cloves and Mace, to the value of an an ounce. It must stand half a year be­fore it bee drunk.

If you marvel that so great a quantity of water is required, it is partly because of the goodness of the hony, which being pure and fine, goeth further than ordinary; and partly that it may have the longer time in boyling before i [...] come to its strength, and therefore some will have eight parts of water to one of hony, but then they boil it so much the longer. The third part at least being wasted.

CHAP. XXVII. Of diver [...] kinds of Wild-Bee [...].

THere is one kind not half so bigge, as a Hony-Bee, with a bright shining green head and fore-part; she hath longer horns than a Hive-bee, she hath four wings, her neather part is of a light shining Carnation on the out-side, the belly of a greenish shining glistring colour, almost as bright as the shining of a Glo-worm, with a very large long sting (not forked) or some­what like to a sting▪ I could not force it to enter it into my hand, whether it wil sting I know not; that which is equivalent to the skin is as it were continued without ringles; this Bee is very strong, gathers as the Hive-Bee sandaracha; and breeds in holes of old posts, divers near one another, we may call her the gli­string Bee.

There is another sort of Wild-Bee which is very laborious, she is not so great as a Hive-Bee by a third part, but in shape and making altogether like her, the mouth opens side-ways, where­with she holds very fast, like pinchers, her hinder leggs are of a tawny colour, the ringles of her hinder part gray, the rest of a blewish black, her fore-part is partly black, and partly gray, she useth to abide (if my memory deceive me not) in Brick-walls, in holes in the morter between the Bricks, many neat one ano­ther; we may call her the Mortar-Bee.

There is another sort not half so great as the former, but grayer, she diggs or mines perpendicularly into stiffe clay ground in High-ways, or Foot-path sides, the earth that she works out, lyes round about her hole like the casting of a Worme, but much siner; after she hath entred three inches right down, she makes traverse holes one under another, sometimes two, some­times three in breadth, as several cels, or chambers where she breeds her young, which are not Worms at first, but have a perfect shape of a Bee, herein concurring with the Queen-bee, and though she be laborious, and gathers much Bee-bread, yet could I never finde any thing provided before-hand, or laid up in any cell, but all is consumed by the young, of which I have found neer forty belonging to one down-right hole (not come to [Page 180] maturity, and maintained by one) all in several cels or Partiti­ons one above another, the transverse holes being open to the down-right, that so they may be visited and fed by the bree­ding or Mother-Bee, which confirmes my former assertion of the old Bees feeding the young. This sort of Bee is very Politi­cal, living by hundreds, nay thousands near one another, but each in a distinct mansion, we call them the Earth-Bee.

There is another s [...]r: about the length of a Hive-Bee, but broader and greater made, like a small Humble-Bee, but diffe­ring in colour, she hath a round head, broad face, with long horns on the head, a ring of yellow turning upwards, above the mouth the chaps are indented, and hold like Pincers, the back and head are of a dark [...]usset, six dew-clawed feet of a light browne, she hath four wings, her neather part is of a dark black, with five yellow spots on either side of the edges of every ringle, she hath a broad tayl; this kinde copulates often openly, while she is at work all the Summer; she pur [...]es, or darts too and fro as she gathers, without a Sting, makes a louder and clearer sound than the Hive-Bee.

There is also a smaller sort of this kind, in nothing differing but in the magnitude, these breed in clay-walls of houses and b [...]rns, in holes in the clay which they make many together, like several inhabitants to make a Town, but each hath her peculiar house, or hole.

There is another sort of wild Bee, altogether as long as a Horne [...], but the neather part not above half so great; it hath eight ringles, the three next the incision of a shining black, the four next towards the tayl, which grow all less one then the o­ther downwards, of a light Orange, and the tayl of a bright brown, the fore-part and wings (which are but two) and belly are of an Orange colour, the head not very round, the mouth piked, or like a Birds bill, but the lower chap longer than the upper, which opens not sidewaies as other Bees, but one over the other, two short horns on the head, but two wings orange coloured, somewhat shorter than the body, six dew-clawed feet of an Orange colour likewise, she buzzeth not so loud and smart as the Scarabee, she lives by foot-path sides, and bare pla­ces of fields, of a quick sight, and not easily taken, without a sting, copulates frequently, feeds on Flies and Grashoppers, [Page 181] and this observe as a general rule, that few of those sorts that have but two wings gather Bee-bread; I might describe divers others, but not being able to recite any particulars of them, I will not trouble the Reader any longer.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the Waspe.

A Waspe is a flying oblong Insect with four wings, of a bright Ash-colour, the two inmost neither half so long, nor so large as the out-most, six yellow dew-clawed feet mixed with Chesnut-colour towards the extremities, two black move­able horns on the head, growing on either side as high as the top of the eyes, the head is black and hairy, the fore-head divided into three yellow spots, with a black stroke down the middle, the jaws yellow without, black at the mouth, the jaws hath not the solidity of a bone, but is like a strong gristle, indented like a Saw, the back is for the most part of a shining black, and the belly also, the neather part is a bright yellow in the scales, but black bars, in the opening of the upper scale, the black in largeth it self towards the middle of the scale; and lastly, she hath a ve­nemous spear where with she wil prick often (contrary to the Bee) for it is not barbed.

The Waspes Nest is begun of one, not many mother Waspes or breeders as some imagine; the mother Waspes goe not a­broad after they have b [...]ed many young, but are maintained by their posterity at home; whether the old breeders continue lon­ger than a year Aristotle questions, and Scaliger likewise, but determine not, it being a secret not then known; but it is ap­parent they continue no longer, for their wings are worn, and thereby are they disabled for flight, much more for bree­ding.

The mother Waspes have stings, and use them, and the rea­son Arist▪ de hist. [...]nim. lib. 9▪ c▪ 65. of their abode at home, is not because they are great and heavie bodied (as some) for their wings are proportionable to their bodies, but with their much working in the Spring, making their Nests alone, breeding and feeding their young they wear [Page 182] their wings, and therefore after a while stirre not abroad, but order all at home.

The Waspes Nest is made for the most part in the ground, (sometimes in the thatch of a house) in a hole begun by a Mouse, or Mole, not very deep, about a foot and a half, some­times two foot from the entrance, for the manner of their work, making of their combes, breeding and feeding, they doe almost wholly agree with the Hornet and the Bee, for Bees, Hornets, Scalig. com­ment. in Arist, de hist, lib. 5. c. 19. and Waspes are alike in all, as an Asse, Horse, and Oxe, and how Hornets breed. See Cap. 10. pag. 89.

The Waspes Nest is made Oval, some consist of eight combes or stories one beneath another, fastned strongly by many peggs, or pins one to another, about three quarters of an inch distance between combe and combe, the middle combes are a­bout nine inches in the Diameter, all round, and the whole in­volved with a five or six doubled folding, or watered cover, yet all wrought into one intire peece, consisting of the same matter with their combes, being greenish, russet▪ and g [...]ay, whereas the combes are of a dark russet, with only one hole through the middle of the cover, bigge enough for one Waspe to enter at once; the cover is fastned with some pins to the ground, or rootes in the earth.

The middle of each combe is somewhat Piramidall, bending upwards, and hollower in the inside than the outward part of the combe, and the center hath a very strong pin to fasten it to the next combe, which [...]uns like the axeltree or maine post through them all, and in less space than every inch in the whole breadth, are rows of pins, or pillasters, which fasten each combe very firmely to the next, so that they wil not easily be separated. And here in they see me to have been exempla [...]s of Architecture rather than Bees, fashioning all their combes orderly, strongly, u [...]efully▪ and comely; the pins or props are framed broader, & big­ger, both at the top and bottome, than in the middle, with two or three butteresles both above and below, where by they hold more strongly, and being small in the middle, less hinder their passage about the combes.

The Waspes combes are plaine on the upper part, but filled and furnished with hexangle cells downwards, the cells are not so deep, nor yet so long as the Bees, and they are not made [Page 183] straight but asloop, that the young may not so readily fall out as they would if they were directly downwards.

The seed is at first almost as small as a Mustard-seed, of a Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 5. c. 19. darkish white, not spherical, but oval, and they fasten it not to the bottome of the cell ( sed ad cella latus apum more, saith Aristotle) but to a corner or angle a pretty distance above the bottome, and observe (for the most part) an exact order in disposing of their seed, that they keep the same angles in every cell, not one in an angle of the South-side of a cell, and another in an angle of the North, or the East, but all in the South, so that the seed lyes or­derly in rows: But if one layes her seed in the con [...]mry angle (as sometimes, though seldome) then the next takes it for a rule, and it is punctually observed perhaps through a whole range of cells.

This seed being hatched (for the manner how, see the tenth Chapter) grows a little while by vertue of the seminal power, it sticks at one end, bending towards the middle of the cell, but somewhat erected (or rather dejected, for the head is down­ward) that it may receive food, and when it fills the breadth of the cell, it grows loose, and falls (or to speak properly ascend [...]) to the bottome of the cell, for the mouth of the cell is down­wards raising it self; and now the mouth of the worm begins to bee visible, and it is daily fed, as wee noted of the Bees (for they are Insects of the same nature) but some what degenerating; Georglus Pis­catorius. and Pliny saith, in fae [...]u, eadem prope natura quae apibus, and grows to the full dimension of the cell: when as wee noted in the Hornet, it grow [...] dull and torpid, and refusing meat is shut up by a cover wrought over the head: But to return back a little.

At first, after the seed is hatched, it is oval towards the head, near to the tail there is a blackish spot; It will contract it self almost round, sometimes as a Caterpiller, when it moves, as if it would go, for indeed the worm makes no progressive mo­tion.

If you break the worm, in the body is a thick watteish hu­mour, with a harder substance, like a black list in the middle of it, and that from end to end.

The transmutation begins to bee first visible in the superior part, and the eyes are first discerned, and the incision between [Page 184] the head and the shoulders, which yet as it grows more perfect, becomes smaller, the middle incision is scarcely visible, when the eyes may bee seen, then the legs, and the horns begin to bee framed, and the wings are last finished. When they are per­fect, they thrust up the covers over their heads which hang at their backs until they come forth.

They excern an excrement while they feed, which is contained under them in the bottome of the cells, but assoon as the young cut their way forth, the older Waspes carry it out of the neast.

The young Waspes (though the combes bee taken out of their nensts) that are shut up (not the other, for they must bee fed, or they will dye in three or four dayes) will come to life, and perfection, although slowly, because of the small heat; but for above three weeks I have had them in a chamber successive­ly come to perfection.

They gather no hony, that is, make it, rob they do, but then Scaliger com. in Arist. de hist. l. 5 c. 19. Arist. in loc. pred. they spend it as fast as they get it, yet Scaliger saith mellificant, they begin to breed in the latter end of the Spring, contrary to Aristotle, who saith, they breed not in the Spring, but Autumn, whereas they miscarry by the end of Autumn.

They breed first their own kinde, and by the end of August, ordinarily have fledge Drones, which are about the greatness of an old working Wasp, but somewhat longer, whose covers they heighten above the combs when they shut them up, but in cells no greater than the Waspes.

The Drones have no sting, they have two testicles, which on crushing are easily discovered, and they are coated with a hard black tunicle, joyned together like a pair of breeches, sharper towards the point, but broader upwards, and at the upper end not coated, but full of a whitish liquor; the testicles are some­what like, but that they are united together to the young coated Grashoppers whilst they are in the dams belly.

The Drones are not of so bright a yellow as the Waspes, and their moveable horns are a great deal longer, yea longer than the mother Wasps horns, which they spread very wide like a fork, but not right forth, widening them by degrees, and towards the tops, bending them side-wayes.

Presently after they begin to breed Drones, they breed also mother Waspes, which are twice, nay almost thrice as great as [Page 185] the Drones, these begin to forsake the neast about a week in September, and so daily as they come to perfection, being first made prolifical by the Drones with whom they couple. The Drones continue in the neast, as long as the working Wasps, namely untill the wet, and cold in October puts a period to their lives. Whereas the mother Wasps, as soon as they have en­gendered, with the Drones flye forth, and shrowd themselves in hollow trees, thatch, or such like places, where they lye in a dead sleep without feeding till March, when the first warm weather revivies them, and causeth them to flye abroad, and then they feed, but if after they have been a while abroad, the Spring bee very cold and wet, they then for the most part, mis­carry, and dy.

For the mother Wasps, they make larger hexangle cells in the lowest combs than for ordinary Wasps, and also inlarge the covers above the combs near a quarter of an inch higher than the comb, the covers and highings are very white like fine white paper.

The young Wasps are somewhat gray at first, and after turn to a bright yellow, and the Bees are more white at first, and after turn to a bright brown.

Aristotle doubted whether the Wasps lost their stings in Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 65. Winter; while they are in a deep, or dead sleep, they exercise them not, but revive them by a fire, or in your warm hand, and you may experimentally affirm the contrary. That they did co­pulate, Aristotle; acknowledgeth, but whether the male and female, both had stings, hee professeth that hee was igno­rant.

Waspes are a kinde of Canibals, for they rob from all, and eat not the Bees provision only, but the Bees themselves, nay they will eat the young Wasps of another neast.

Once, Waspes are very strong, and daring creatures, especi­ally near their neast, not fearing to anger, nay to injury the most mighty. The Poet elegantly thus expresseth it. Spencers visi­ons of the worlds vanity.

CHAP. XXIX. Of the Hornet.

A Hornet is a flying Insect, more than twice as great as a common Wasp, with four wings, the inmost smaller, and not so long as the utmost by a third part. For shape shee is like a Wasp, but differs in colour: All the back wings, and belly, legs, and horns are of a bright Chesnut colour, and some part also below the division in the middle, and then yellow scales, and Chesnut-coloured openings, or bars with spots on either side of every yellow scale, on the upper-side but more Chesnut­coloured on the under-side▪ Her fore-head is of an iron colour, in the middle of her for-head is a yellow spot like a heart, on either side whereof grows her moveable horns, on the out-side are her eyes oblong, and a little prominent, her face is a yellow square like a plate, her cheeks or jaws are yellow without, and black in the mouth; her jaws are a very bone indented like a saw, more thick toothed, and siner than a Grashoppers, contrary to Ari­stotle, and Pliny also, who affirm of all Insects, that they have Arist de hist. animal. l. 4. c. 1. no boniness in any part, whereas a Hornets jaw, and also a great Grashopper [...], are a sold bone without, and within of an equal hardness.

Hornets have no fangs, their tongue is divided into small fibers: Their breathing is visible, cut off one of their heads, and you shall see (a while) on expulsion out of the neck of a whitish moisture, and then drawn in again, at first very strongly, [Page 187] and then with more weakness, and at last ceasing, yet life con­tinuing in either part of the divided body above an hour.

A Hornets intrals is contracted in the body, but extended, is as long as the body, they have a very large cavitie in the end of the tail, out of the middle of it, the sting is extended and drawn in also as they please, it is not hollow (as some think) that I could discern; near to the tail I found in dissecting a Hornet (and never but once) a white egg as great as a lentill, and just such a one as I have seen in the combs, but never dissecting divers Bees, and Wasps could I finde any, nor yet in Hornets (excepting one) perhaps they are very small (if at all) and quickly grown, and suddenly ejected.

Some suppose them to bee bred of a horse: Cardan of dead Cornel. Agrip­pal. de occult. Philos. Arist. de hist. Animal. l 9. c. 66. Mules: Virgil of Asses: Plutarch of a rotten horse; and so also some conceit Waspes are bred, but with us they are bred for the most part by generation: Of their copulation Aristotle was ignorant, they breed most commonly in hollow trees, in thatch, or in houses, in empty Bee-hives, rarely (but sometimes) in the ground: For the manner of their breeding, see the tenth Chapter, and the former Chapter of Waspes, with whom for the making of their combs, hatching and feeding their young, they do altogether agree, they are not so prolifical as the Wasps, for their combs are never larger, and the cells being much grea­ter of necessity, they must breed fewer: Their stinging is very dangerous, but otherwise they are not so mischievous as the Wasps, for though they sometimes kill a Bee, yet they rob not the Hives, they feed on flesh and fruits, and most of all of ashen trees, feeding of the bark, making the boughs whiter, and in Autumn gather plentifully of the Ivy, contrary to Aristotle, and others, who assert, they gather of no flowers, and herein to differ both from Bees and Waspes.

They sting dangerously, some creatures deadly, Dr. Penny reports, that being at Peterborough in a publick street of the Penni [...]s apud Muffetum de Insect. l. 1. c. 9. City, hee saw a Hornet pursue a Sparrow, whom at last shee struck with her sting, and therewith presently killed her, and filled her self with the dead Sparrows blood, to the astonishment and wonder of many beholders.

It is reported by Aristotle, as a strange and almost incredible thing, of certain Mice in Persia, which being dissected, great [Page 188] with young, those young not yet kindled, have been gra­vid, whereas in Hornets and Wasps there is a greater mar­vel, for the breeders coupling in Autumn, continue to bee prolifical in the Spring, and the young bred of them, not onely in the first, but in the third and fourth generation have a procreative power from their great Grand-mothers copulation.

The water of distilled Hornets, or Waspes, or wherein Bil. ca [...]t. 7. 17. they have been boyled, if it do but touch the skin, the place will swell so, that there will bee the symptomes of a dropfie, or poyson, or some great distemper; but Treacle drunk or annointed on the place, is a cure without any pain; with this Harlots and Beggars deceive the most cir­cumspect and wary, as if they were with childe.

One thing more which I had almost forgot: If the hole in the tree wherein they breed bee large, when they bee nu­merous, they will work it up (all but a small passage for entrance) with the same matter whereof they make their comb [...].

CHAP. XXX. Of the Humble-Bee.

THe Humble-Bee is of various magnitudes and co­lours, some greater, but shorter than a Hornet; others as little, but rounder and shorter than a Bee. All of them are very hairy, they have two horns, very strong indented jawes, wherewith they hold or bite very hard. Some have their heads cole-black, the upper part of the back yellow, the lower part black, they have four wings, the belly all black. In the nether part first a division or ringle of shi­ning black without hair, then a ringle of pale yellow hairy, then a ringle of black, and so black to the taile, but thick and full of light gray hairs, that it seemeth gray, shee hath six legs with scabrous feet. They carry their Bee­bread on their legs, as the Hony-Bee, but no wax, as Scaliger, Plin. Nat. hist. lib. 11. cap. 22. Pliny and others, whether they carry the matter of their [Page 189] combs on their thighs, I am not certain, but beleeve it, for they gather onely on flowers, but the Hornet and Waspe carry it in their mouth.

They breed saith Aristotle, on the ground among stones, Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 67. and have two or three entrances to their neast, but it is not so; but they breed either upon the ground, in the long grass, most commonly in Meadows, and spared layes, or else in a hole in the ground, much deeper than the Wasps: all their neast is covered; nay environed with moss.

Aristotle and Pliny are very brief in the history of them, and therefore very obscure; some imagine the reason here­of was because their nature was well known, but I rather conclude, because they knew little, or nothing of them. Sc [...]liger Com­ment. in Arist. de hist. l. 9. c. 66. And it is very evident because they confound the Silk­worms, and the Humble-Bees under the name Bombyx, and Scaliger also as it appears knew little of them.

The nethermost ringles of the black Humble-Bee, are as black as jeat, clear and shining; nay more transparent, for it will reflect an image, but the many long hairs, except it bee near at hand, nay in your hand, do somewhat ob­scure it.

It seems they are very rare, and scarce known in Italy, for Aldrovandus glories in a [...]east of Humble-Bees that was found by his Apothecary gathering simples, and Aldrovand▪ de▪ Insectis, l. 1. c. 4. brought to him (as hee saith) not onely to delight him with a novelty, but to communicate as a secret of nature to posterity.

Hee supposeth them a kinde of wilde Bee, and pro­pounds it as a Q [...]ery, whether Iohn Baptist in the wilderness lived not with their hony?

Aldrovand. supposeth wax may bee had out of their combs; but this hee borowed from Aristotle, who saith, Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 5. c. 19. they make wax, but paler than Bees, but melt the combs, if you can.

Their combs are oblong cells as big as Acorns, but not altogether so long, clustering together (one somewhat higher than another, somewhat like a bunch of grapes in­verted, sixteen or eighteen joyning together (and then another like comb lying close, but not fastened to it, and [Page 190] so another) of a dark yellow, which (if after they have bred their young) they fill with Bee-bread, and some with hony; their hony is of a bright yellow, very sweet, but not so pleasant as the Bees, having a rank taste (occasionally) from the ground, their combes are not wax (as before) though gathered of the flowers, they are as tough brown paper, but not of so dark a colour, broken, they shew like Iapan paper made of Cotton, woolley.

They ingender with thei [...] ayls opposite one to another, in the meane time resting on some plant, or the stump of a tree, they continue long in venery, and while they copulate, often clap their wings, and make a shrill noyse; their mates they chuse in the Nest, and are carried away by them. These as other Insects before described, after they have done breeding of Females, a­bout the end of August, breed Drones for the propagation of their kind.

It is remarkable, that though the cels or pipes wherein they breed are of a like magnitude, yet the Humble-Bees in the same Nest are of various magnitudes, some more than twice as great as others, herein differing from Bees and Waspes, which continued in the same dimensions that they were first Metamor­phosed into, only when they are strong and lusty, seeme some­what fuller and plumper, but when they grow old, then they grow lank and wither; whereas the Humble-bees, many of them double their first magnitude.

They are very laborious and hardy Creatures, working in such weather when the Bees dare not, and continuing it many weeks, after Hornets and Waspes are laid up, or mis­carried.

There is another kind of great Humble-Bee, in the fore-part exactly agreeing with the former description, but the neather part is altogether of a shining black, and not so hairy as the for­mer, it is sharp pointed at the tayl, and hath but one cavity, out of the which cometh a sting, which groweth out of the under part of the tayl, and is forked like a Snakes tongue, having two points forth-right, not barbed like a Bees, so that it stinges more than once; there are two covers on either side of the sting to keep it close and safe, and these are as long as the sting, but bigger, rougher, and spreading on the top, I conceive to hold [Page 191] the sting in, in the act of generation; there are six partitions or ringles on the neither part, and on the outsides, especially of the fourth and fifth golden coloured hairs.

The Humble-Bee first described, astords some special rari­ties not observed by any, and therefore I must return to her a­gain. In the tayl being opened, is a double cavity or hole, the one (if I mistake not) for generation and partur [...]tion, and the other for the evacuation of excrements; in the neather part (dissecting it) I found as in a Hive Bee, a bladder to which ad­joyns the entral, not so white as in a honie-Bee, then you shall have (as I have often found) their young (but one visible at once) which are not excluded, torpid, and liveless eggs, but live and grow in the dammes belly; I have found some as large as great Tares (like the Worms in the combes) so that all the parts of the Worme are very visible, and these have lived after I have cut them out some houres, and would continually con­tract and gather themselves into a [...]ound, and then again extend themselves, but were not able to make any progressive motion▪ being without feet.

In the breast I perceived a little thing to pant, and beat a great while after I severed it from the lower part at the incision, when I after, opened the breast, I found four several parts like several members, but I was not able (my sight being weak) to distin­guish one member from another, but concluded there was a heart, liver, and lungs, all were reddish, but some parts were more red than others.

Under the horny tunicle of the eye is a white moysture, and something white likewise, like brains in the middle of the head; her tongue is drawn so close, partly under her neck, and partly into her mouth, that it is scarcely visible, but when she works; being dead, I found it much longer than a Bees, as long as a Barley corn; she hath two fangs, on either side one, the tongue at the root is as great as a small pin, underneath of a black co­lour to the middle, where it is divided into three parts, two shorter on either side, and a longer in the middle, so that it hath a triple tongue; this sort that breed their young within them, are without a sting; on their bellies near the roots of their leggs, are little round reddish creatures, with very long horns, with six leggs, which run very quick and swift, which (I be­leeve) [Page 192] are a kinde of Lice proper to them; their taile stretched out, is very like their mouth, being as it were a complement of clawes meeting in a round, and this is proper to this kinde with­out a sting, which I therefore call the Claw-tailed Humble-Bee.

Those which breed a living creature within them, after a sort produce it egg-fashion, for it is covered with a thin membrane Arist. de ge­nerat. Animal. l. 3. c. 9. like the shell of an egg, but I discerned no such membrane en­circling the worm in this Humble-Bee.

This grey Humble-Bee in the taile is somewhat broad, and hath two circular horny claws, or pincers not visible, till they bee drawn out, and within them two other shorter but not cir­cular.

Some creatures saith Bodinus, conceive eggs within them, Bodinus Thea­trum naturae l. 3. and there hatch, and bring forth a living creature as the Viper, and all kinde of Whales, but neither hee, no [...] any other men­tions this Humble-Bee.

Whatsoever saith Aristotle, bringeth forth a living creature and Arist. de hist. l. 2. c. 6. not first an egge, hath breasts, and all that have breasts, have paps or nepples except the Dolphin, which hath two pipes, on either side one, which the young ones suck: The Philosopher, and Scaliger his Commentator, except not the Viper, no [...] the Slow-worm, because they perhaps concluded, that they hatched the young of analogical eggs within the dams belly; I am sure they ought to have excepted this kinde of Humble Bee as also that Flye that wee spake of before out of Scaliger.

How they order their young after they bee excluded, I can­not yet determine, for I have not found any of their neasts, since I observed this particular.

The Cells or Pipes wherein the young are bred, are not flat at the top as the Bees and Waspes, but oval, and are all of one matter and colour, whereas the covers of the Wasps and Hor­nets are, though of the same substance, yet whiter and fiuer.

CHAP. XXXI. Of the Grashopper.

IN the production of no creatures is nature more serious, or rather more wanton than in Grashoppers, who is able to des­cribe their various colours? or the divers forms of their bo­dies, or can exactly report their walking, leaping, flying? With us some are green, some tawney, some russet, in Ethiopia red and yellow, in Africa white.

One hath written a Tractate of seven kinde of Locusts or Fran. St [...] ­ca [...]. de sc [...] ­tem generibus locust▪ Grashoppers according to the Scriptures, and Rabbins; and yet mentions, not those four kindes enumerated among clean creatures, and allowed the Iews for food, namely Arbeth a most prolifical kinde of Grashopper, which therefore had this Levit. 11, 22. name according to Kimchi and Broughton. The second kinde is Solaam by the Seventy, [...], Hieron calls it a Scarabee, but not rightly, for it is a swift creature, going on the four fore­feet, and leaping with the two hindmost which are longer than the others. The third sort is Chargol, which in our Bible is translated a Beetle, but there is a great difference between Beetles and Grashoppers, the Greeks, translate it [...], for it fights with a Serpent, and strangles it, as both Aristotle and Pliny record; and Maiolus in his Colloquies tells us, That his Gardener returning from work, saw one of these Grashop­pers conflicting with a Serpent, which at last it killed. And therefore Niphus was too bold to translate it a Scolopendra, or Aspe, when as the Philosopher calls it a Grashopper, and the Arist. de hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 6. Seventy translate it a Locust. The fourth kinde is called Chagol, the Greeks call it [...]. It is a cruel devourer, not onely consuming the fruits, but stalks, nay barks of trees.

In the Scripture wee finde five other kindes, Gaza from sha­ving▪ Iel [...]k from licking, Chasil from destroying, Thela [...]sal from rust, which it occasions to the fruits, and Chenamal from stay­ing, Rhodulph Medius in Levit. because it never willingly forsakes its place. Modius on Ioel, and Levit▪ reckons up various kindes of the first sort cal­led Ar [...]eth.

Moreover in the month of May, out of a [...]spittle that hangs [Page 194] upon herbs is produced a green winged creature, in shape very like the little Grashopper, it leaps, and after flyes. Wee use to call the frothy matter wherein they are bred Wood-se [...]r, that is the corruption of the woods; I know not the reason of the name; others call it Cuckow-spittle.

In Norw [...]y it often rain [...]s a little four footed beast, as great [...] a Rat, of various coloured hair, which feeds of all green things Scaliger de Sub [...]. exerci­ [...]at. 1 [...]2. like Grashoppers. When their food fails they dye, and the aire being corrupted with their stenth, causeth to the inhabitants Meg [...]ms, and the Kings-evill. They call it Lemmer; this though not properly a Grashopper, yet like them very de­structive.

Of what form was the [...] of Suidas, the [...] of C [...]lius, the [...] of Ni [...]ander, [...] of Hes [...]cbius, [...] of Aristophanes, [...] of Eusta [...]bius, [...] and [...], of Phavorinus, Lud [...]loc [...]r [...], of Fsid [...]r [...], and many many others mentioned by authors differing one from another, but yet not fully described, much less their natures, so that wee need an Oedipus to reveal, and discover them.

A Grashopper hath two very moveable horns, as long as the whole body, on either side [...]f the jawes two short ones; It hath two broad lips shutting flat on the other, and two lesser that shut side-wayes, all which together close the mouth, and the head, with the lips closed, somewhat resembles a horses head. It hath two round prominent eyes; Nigidius denied that they saw at all, as Pliny records, when as they have clear and glassie eyes, yet covered with a horny tunicle (the eyes are not moveable) Plin. Nat. hi [...], [...]. [...]1. c. 37. there is a visible Pupilla, six feet, the hindmost as great, and as long again as the formost to leap withall, and raise it self up, with two joynts in every one, near their setting on to the breast, these two are very near one to the other. They have also a joynt in the middle, the upper part as the thigh greater at the top, and smaller downwards, and smoothe. The lower parts (which are their legges) rough and scabrous, and several pliable joynts in the feet, and as it were visible toes, which are rough and dew­clawed. A long smooth taile more than half the length of the body, sharp-pointed, and two short little tants, or pricks grow­ing near the end of the tail, pointing towards the extremity of it.

[Page 195]When you hold it by the wings, though it neither stirs, no [...] strives, yet shall you both see and feel the whole body beat and pant, [...]s also when it creeps, or stands still, although not so much, lest of all when it is in motion. It hath four large wings, but the under wings lye folded or doubled, which deceived Willichius, who unwarily beholding them, took them to bee Jodocas Willi­chius in suo de Locustis dia [...] lo [...]o, several, and therefore published that they have six wings; the under wings being open, they are very fine and membranous, near an inch broad, spreading like a sail; the upper wings are crusty or shelly.

It hath as it were, a scaly Gorget, from the head to the inci­sion or back. The back is more hard and shelly than the belly, and hath several semicircular equidistant strakes down to the belly. The belly is very soft and white on either side, all along to the tail, and green in the middle.

On the breast are sharp pricks six in number according to the legs, against each leg one. When the head is severed from the body, the jawes, the lips, the horns, all move, but the head dyes sooner than the rest of the body. The body will leap a great while after the head is off. In the stomach is a thick ju [...]cy moisture. The breast being opened, first appears the heart, and then other large members, one like the liver of a reddish co­lour, another less and grayer, which I suppose to bee the lungs. In the belly I have not found fewer than eighty young ones, in some one hundred. They grow quickly as great as Ant-eggs, and as long, they are first yellow and soft, full of a yellowish moisture, then ruby, then of a tawny colour, when after a cer­tain space this softer tunicle hardens into a shining black coat, or shell, long and flattish, and these alterations are all in the same Grashopper, for in some you shall finde all without coats, in others, some with coats, and some with none at the same time.

They have three black teeth in either jaw, the teeth and jaw are one peece, and of a bony substance. In the head is a manifest brain, or at least somewhat equivalent.

Some Grashoppers have not the long prick at the taile, but two tants above and two shorter underneath, and some have stumps in­stead of wings, but howsoever they variously differ in their exter­nals, yet in all that I have dissected are alike, the vitals indeed, and [Page 196] other particulars, are not so visible in the smaller, as in the greater.

Grashoppers copulate after the manner of other Insects, the less ascending the greater; for the male is the lesser. They dis­close Arist. de hist. Animal. [...]. c, [...]8. their eggs on the earth, fastening a pipe which they have at their tail to it. The males have none: All lay their eggs to­gether in one place, so that they make a kinde of combe, but not on the superficies of the earth, but a little underneath, then the form of them as they were first produced, being changed out of that earthy cover, appear little and black Grashoppers, and after the skin being broken on every side, they become greater, they bring forth their eggs in Autumn, and presently being de­livered of them perish, for there breed certain worms about their necks which strangles them saith Pliny, which eat through them, saith Scaliger, and the males also dye; they are quickned, and come from under the earth in the Spring.

Grashoppers b eed not much on mountainous, or squallid moist lands, but in Champion grounds which are apt to chap, for they lay their eggs in the chaps and cranies, out of which, Winter being past, in the beginning of the Summer follow­ing, of such eggs as are alive, come the Locusts or Gras­hoppers.

They copulate thus, the male ascending the female, puts in [...]r. V [...]l [...]riola. those two tants or pricks that are eminent in the end of the back, by turning back of the tail into the females womb, and they are very long and closely joyned together, that they can scarce bee severed, neither yet by leaping or motion, no nor yet without difficulty with your hands.

The female in her venery, moves her belly earnestly, and clo­seth in the lower part to the male, and holds him very long, sometimes with the opening of her womb, sometimes with a strait shutting of it, making her dalliance more delightful; for while her womb opens, the male more deeply insinuates himself to the bottome of i [...], and when it is contracted, is more de­lighted with the pleasure of it.

There are seen two passages in the females privity severed each from other, and covered with a thick coat, it is black on the out-side, and hard and cart [...]laginou [...] ▪ but within seems somewhat rough and scabrous, with certain wrinkles. At the [Page 197] bottome of this covering, the womb growing white, is like a womans privy parts. The male after copulation dyes; For by a long continued use of venery, they spend all their radical moy­sture and spirits also. The females after they have brought forth either by the violence of the pain, or multitude of their young, whereby their strength is consumed, perish likewise; or as Aristotle by little Lice which breed in their necks, and as Pliny saith, strangle them, as Scaliger, eat into them and kill them.

They flye over large Seas, continuing divers dayes together in their flight, and make such a noise with their wings, that they seem to bee Fowls, and shadow the very Sun.

They infest Italy oftentimes out of Africa, consuming all with their bitings, and with their black, sharp, and burning excre­ments, and with a sharp slaver, which they in eating let fall out of their mouths, yet are they not poyson, for both the Par [...]hians and Ethiopians feed of them.

Willichius assigns them a King, and a Monarchy, but Solomon Proverb. 30▪ 27 denies it, saying, That they have no King, yet go they forth all by bands, but though they bee sine rege & lege, yet have they a conspiring agreement to do mischief.

When they wasted Gaul 852. they marched in the aire twenty miles a day in an ordered battel, and formed squadrons, and when they fell on the earth they had their camp; the Com­manders with a few went before the Army a dayes journy, as it were to finde out fit places to quarter in, and the very same hour that the fore-runners or harbingers came the day before, the whole Troups came the day after; before the rising of the Sun they stirred not from the place where they settled, but the Sun being risen, they marched, or flew away in their orderly Regiments.

Cuspinian observes the same, in the same Country, in the year Cuspinianus. 874. but with this difference, that they marched then but four or five miles a day.

Of Locusts there are sometimes seen such monstrous swarms I. Leo hist. of Africa l. 9. in Africa, that in flying they intercept the Sun beams like a thick cloud. They devoure trees, leaves, fruits, and all green things growing out of the earth.

At their departure they leave eggs behinde them, whereof [Page 198] other young Locusts are bred, which in the places where they are left, will eat, and consume all things, even to the very bark of trees.

Their coming is known by the discolouring of the fields long Scaliger exer­citat, 192. before, for they shine by reflexion.

Before the birth of Christ, about a 170. years, the Pastures Julius Obse­quens. of Italy, were covered as it were with clouds of Grashoppers, and about Cap [...]a a hundred years together.

In the Consulship of Marcus Pla [...]tius Hypsaeus, and Marcus Fulvius Flaccus, Africa scarce breathing from bloody Paulus Or [...]sius contra pag [...]. nos, l. 5▪ c. 11. wars, an horrible and extraordinary destruction ensued. For whereas now throughout all Africa, infinite multitudes of Lo­custs were gathered together, and had not onely quite devoured the corn on the ground, and consumed the herbs with part of their roots, and the leaves, and tender boughs of the trees, but had gnawn also the bitter bark, and dry wood, being with a violent and sudden winde hoisted aloft in mighty swarms, and carried along time in the aire, they were at length drowned in the Afri­can Ocean. Whose loathsome and pu [...]rified carkasses being by the waves of the Sea cast up in huge heaps far and wide along the shore, bred an incredible stinking and infectious smell: whereupon followed so general a pestilence of all living creatures that the corrupt bodies of fowls, cattel, and wilde beasts dis­solved by the contagion of the aire, augmented the fury of the plague. But how great and extraordinary a death of men there was, I cannot but tremble to report: For in Numidia where Micipsa was then King, dyed fourscore thousand persons (in the Kingdom of M [...]ssinissa according to Eutropius, if I mistake not, eight hundred thousand.) And upon the Sea▪coast next adjoyning to Carthage and Utica, above two hundred thou­sand are said to have perished. Yea in the City of Utica it self were by this means swept from the face of the earth thirty thou­sand brave souldiers, which were appointed to bee the Gar­rison for all Africa. And the destruction was so sudden and violent, that out of one gate of Utica, in one and the same day, were carried above fifteeen hundred dead corpses, of those lusty young gallants.

In the Reign of Basilius the Emperor, the Eastern parts were Georgius Ce­d [...]enus hist. Compend. consumed by Grashoppers, that the inhabitants were forced [Page 199] to sell their children, and at last to pass into Thrace. But after­wards a vehement winde carried them into the H [...]llesp [...]nt, where they were drowned and cast up on the sands which they covered, and prodigiously lived again of themselves, and wasted all the Countries adjoyning, and Thrace, especially three years to­gether.

In May 1350. an innumerable multitude of Grashop­pers F [...]zellus do [...]ebu [...] siculis. of an unwonted greatness, and uncertain original, appeared in the Province of Catana in Sicllia, which consumed Corn, Vineyards, Woods, Gardens, and Trees, both domestick and wilde, and consumed their barks to the very roots every where in one day, and then by a sudden wind were carried into the Ionian Sea, and there drowned; but being after cast upon the Si [...]lian shore, caused by their stink a cruell plague in Iuly fol­lowing.

Swarms of Grashoppers came out of Africa into Italy, and also into France 1353. and also 1374. causing such a famine and plague, that the third part of the people perished, and they O [...]h [...] [...]risin­gensis. had most of them six wings, and at last were hurried with a violent winde into the Brit [...]ish Ocean.

About Misnia, 1543. there were so many Grashoppers Iacobus Ek­celius. that they covered the ground about a cubit thick.

In all the Dominions of Prete Ianni is a very great and F [...]an. Al [...]r [...] ▪ Ethiop. Hist. [...] cap. 32. & 33▪ horrible Plague, which is an innumerable company of Locusts, which eate and consume all the Corn and Trees, and the num­ber of these Creatures is so great, as it is incredible, and with their multitude they cover the earth, and fill the air in such wise that it is a hard matter to be able to see the Sun; and if the damage which they doe were general through all the Provinces of Prete Ianni, they would perish with Famine, and it were im­possible to inhabite the same, but one year they destroy one Province; sometimes in two or three of these Provinces, and wheresoever they go, the Country remaineth more ruinate and destroyed, than if it had been set on fire.

These Vermine are as great as a great Grashopper, and have yellow wings, we know of their coming a day before, not be­cause we see them, but we know it by the Sun, which shew­eth his beams of a yellow colour, which is a signe that they draw near the Country, and the ground becoming yellow, [Page 200] through the light which reverberateth from their wings, where­upon the people become suddenly as dead men, saying, we are undone, for the Locusts come.

During our abode in the Towne of Baru [...], we saw the signe of the Sun, and the shadow of the earth, which was all yellow, whereat the people were half dead for sorrow; the next day, the number of these Vermine which came was incredible, cover­ing four and twenty miles in compass.

At another time we travelled five daies journey, through pla­ces wholly wast and destroyed, wherein M [...]llet had been sowne, which had stalks as great as those which we set in our Vine­yards, and we saw them all broken and beaten downe, as if a Tempest had been there, and this the Locusts did; the trees were without leaves, and the barks of them were all devoured, and no grass was there to bee seen, for they had eaten up all things, and if we had not carried Victuals with us, we and our cattel had perished.

This Country was all covered with Locusts without wings, and they told us, that those were the seed of them which had eaten up all, and that as soon as their wings were growne, they would seek after the old ones, and the number of them was infinite.

While we abode in a place called Aquate, at another time came such an infinite swaime of Locusts, as it is incredible to de­clare, they began to come about three of the clock in the after­noon, and ceased not till night, and as they came they lighted, and the next day in the morning they began to depart, so that by nine of the clock there was not one of them left, and the trees remained without leaves.

The same day and hour there came another squadron of them, and these left neither bough nor tree unpilled, and so they continu­ed for the space of five daies, and they said they were young ones which went to seek the old ones, and they did the like, where wee saw them that were without wings, and the compass which these Locusts took, was nine miles, wherein was neither leaves, nor barks on the trees.

This Country seemed not to bee burnt up, but rather to bee covered with snow, by reason of the whiteness of the trees, which were all pilled, so that all the Country remained bare.

At such times the people depart from their own Country, so [Page 201] that wee have found all the wayes full of men and women, tra­velling on foot with their children in their arms, and upon their heads, going into other Countries, where they might finde food, which was a pitiful thing to behold.

Once, Eutyopius makes mention of great Locusts, which Eutropius l. 4 were seen not far from the Roman Territory, so formidable, and such devourers, that the inhabitants were frighted with the be­holding of them, so that wee must conclude that these small crea­tures have a chief place among Gods Troops and Armies. If Pharaoh ask, Who is the Lord? Not Angels, not Men, nor yet fierce Lions, and Tygers, but devouring Grashoppers shall bee his challengers and conquerors, and ask, Who is Pharoah?

They are all females if wee beleeve Vincentius, and Albertus, Vincentius as the Scarabees all males. Great droughts produce them, at least cause a prodigious increase of them, 1553. after five years drought, were great Armies of them; And Paulus Draco­ [...]us reports that in the tenth year of Mauritius the Emperour after a great drought from Ianuary to September, there were in­finite multitudes of Locusts, which two years caused a great fa­mine in Italy, by consuming corn and fruits, and 1542. an innu­merable multitude of Locusts over-spread a great part of Eu­rope, at first they wanted wings (being it seems produced by the drought) after they had two, and then four, and having wasted one place, went unto another, leaving a terrible stink after Cornelius Gea [...]a. them wheresoever they had been, but at last with Autumns cold were destroyed.

Their extraordinary appearance is (accounted by some) a Hieron. Mer­curi [...]lis. Georgius Tu­ [...]onensi [...]. sign of an approaching plague, sometimes of war, for it is re­ported, that two Armies passing by Clermont into the Roma­naick Territory (a place in France) there fought together, where many of of them were killed; when Clo [...]a [...]ius was about to fight with his son Chrannus, whom overcoming, hee caused to be burnt with his wife and children.

These eaters are usually eaten by the inhabitants of Arabia deserta, and of Lybia, who esteem their coming as a fortunate Jo. I. [...]o lib. 9. boading, for seething and drying them in the Sun, they bruise them to powder, and so eat them.

And they were the food of Iohn Baptist in the Desart, yet there have been some, as Theop [...]ylact testifies, who understood [Page 202] by [...], the bud [...] o [...] tops of certain herbs, o [...] some kinde Theophilact. of wilde fruits, in which number was Hermolaus Barbarus, who saith Chrysostome, and A [...]ha [...]osius before him, were of the same judgement; but Chrysostome denies it, and saith a Locust is a Hom. [...] in Marc. small creature, between a flying, and [...] creeping; of which in the De [...]ar [...]s of Iud [...]a were great store, they were wont to boyle them in oyle, and they were the food of the poorer sort.

Augustine confirms it also, that Iohn fed of Locusts. And August in Epist. ad Rom. Theophilact witnesseth the same, who doth also interpret the eating of Locusts allegorically, as also Orig [...]n.

Diodorus saith that the Acrid [...]agi, or the Ethiopians bor­dering A [...]aman [...] ▪ Origines, Diodorus, Siculus. lib. 3. c. 3. Strabo. Geopra [...]. l. 16. Solinus poly hist. c. 43. on the Desart that feed on Grashoppers, are of lower stature than other men, l [...]an, and exceeding black; So also. Str [...]b [...], and adds they are of a very short life, seldome exceed­ing forty.

And Solinus also takes notice that the borderers on M [...]urhania in a certain season (the Spring) gather great quan­tities of Locusts which they salt, and live hereof all the year, but none out-live forty years.

The Parthians of old fed of them, as Pliny▪ reports. And Scaliger exer­ [...]itat. 9. [...]. Scaliger saith, the Sirians and Persians eat them before they have wings, namely the young ones.

It is to bee observed, that all Grashopper-eaters are of a Hieron. Mer­curialis lib. 2. v [...]. lect. 20. short life: A learned Physitian enquiring what was the cause the people about the Red-sea are troubled with boyls on their legs and armes, demands if it bee from the aire, or the region, or their food, concludes peremptorily it was from their food. And Diodorus affirms that certain people with frequent eating of Diodorus l. 3. cap. 3. Locusts, were not onely short lived, but much anguished, and at last consumed, not onely with boyls (mentioned before) but with Agatharsis. a cruel kinde of winged lice, of which one gives a full relation. At the Vernal equin [...]x when the South-west-winds blow from an uncertain place, an incredible number of great Locusts are brought, which in flying differ little from birds, but much in the shape of their bodies. With these Locusts salted and otherwayes prepared, the people live, they are excellent for footma [...]ship, but feeding of so dry nourishment, they live not beyond the fortieth year, for then they dye, if not before, a miserable death, for a certain kinde of winged lice is bred in their bodies, like unto. [Page 203] Dog-flyes, but somewhat less. They begin at the breast and belly, and in a short space eat off all the skin of the face. Some of them are like Lepers, and gievously scratch themselves, and the disease still continuing, and these vermine increasing, their humors are spent, and they extreamly tormented, till at length they bee killed and consumed by them.

CHAP. XXXII. Of American Bees.

IN the West-Indies the Bees are small, about the bigness of Gonc [...]lo Fer­nandes de O [...]edo natu­ral [...]y general [...]storia de la Indias. c. [...]o. Flies, or somewhat greater, and the points of their wings cut overthwart, and have through the middle of the wing, one white line across. They have no sting.

They make great Hony-combs, and the holes in them are four times greater than the cells of our European Bees, although they bee much smaller, their hony is good and wholesome, but it is very dark, like wine being boyled.

In the Island of Coz [...]mel, which is near the coast of Iuea [...]an, Rhamusco vo [...]erzo delle Indie l. 17. c. 1. there are many Hives of Bees like those of Spain, but less, and much hony, and wax, the hony is like the Spanish hony, but somewhat sharper.

In the Island of Hispaniola are no Bees, that ever I saw or Goncalo Fern. de Oviedo [...]e [...] ­la generale & naturale histo­ria della India l. 15 c. 3. [...] Rhamul. 3 vol. P [...]rch [...] [...]g. 3 part l. 5 c 3. Jo. [...]coll. l. 4. c. 34. heard of. In the firm land are very many, and of many kindes, as well as in the form and shape of the creature, as also in the va­riety of the taste and colour of the hony, and difference of the wax.

But though Oviedo neither saw nor heard of any, yet are there [...]es in Hispaniola, but as small as Flies, which sting not; their hives are four times as great as ours, their hony is white.

In the Indies are few swarms of Bees (hee understands do­mestick Bees, which then were rare, but now in many places common.

Their Hony-combes are found in trees, or under the ground, and not in Hives as in Castile. The Hony-combes, which I have seen in the Province of Char [...]s, which they call Chiguanas are of a gray colour, and have little juice, and are more like unto [Page 204] sweet straw, then to Hony-combes. The Bees are little like, un­to Flyes, the hony is sharp and black, yet in some places there is better, and the combs better fashioned, as in the Province of Tucuman in Chille, and in Carthagene.

In Peru, especially about the City C [...]rtage, are many Bees, Cronica del Peru per Pedro de Ci [...]ca, c. 25 which breed in hollow Trees, and make as good Hony as the Bees in Spaine; there is one sort of Bees not much greater than Gnats, these stop up the hole, or passage into the cavity of the tree, and by a pipe of waxe as great as the middle finger, goe in and out to their labours, their Hony is thin and somewhat sharp, they get usually about a quart of hony out of a tree.

There is another sort of Bees which are somewhat greater, and black (for the former are white) the entrance into the tree where they work is made up (except a passage for them) with waxe, and some other mixture, whereby it is harder than a stone, their hony is without comparison better than the for­mer, and a Tree will afford usually a gallon, and sometimes more.

There is another sort of Bees which are greater than the Spa­nish Bees, but none of them stings but when they finde that any goe about to plunder them, they will charge upon him that [...]nts the tree, and hang about his hair and beard; these greater Bees yeeld usually three gallons out of a tree, and it is [...]a [...]ie better ho­ny than any of the former.

In the Province of Guayaquil, which is not farre from Quito, An [...] D'Her­rera Historia general de los hechos, &c. decad. 5. lib. 10. c. 10. they breed in Trees, and are not much greater than Flies, the Waxe and the Hony which they gather is red, and although it hath a good taste, yet is it not like to the Hony of Castile.

Near the Rivers of Vasses and Plate, the Bees are not like ours, being not greater than the small Flies where with wee a [...] Maximil. Transilvanus in Epist. ad Episcop. salis­burg. troubled in Summer; they work in Trees, and make larger combes than ours, the extremities of their wings are blunt, as if they were cut ( Oviedo and T [...]evet confirm it) or bitten off, and have in the middle of them a cross spot drawing towards white, without stings, their wax is as black as pitch. The hony generally of the Bees, of the new world, candies not, but is alwayes liquid like oyl.

The Country of Mackasies 372. Germane miles from the Huldrichus Smidel. City of Assumption in the River of Pla [...]e (near Pern) is so [Page 205] abundant in Bees, that you shall scarce open any tree with a hatchet, where will not run out five or six measures of pure hony; the Bees that make it are very little, and without stings.

Aldrovandus citing Hispanus saith, that in the Isle of Cu­mana, Petrus Hispa­nus. the swarms hang on the Trees, and slow down with hony.

In Ty [...]ona, not far from Quito, the Indians make many con­serves A. d'Hertera de las Indi [...]s occid decad. 6. l. 3. c. 1 [...]. Lin [...]coten. l. 3. of hony, which is somewhat plentifull with them, and send them to sell to the Countries round about them.

The Indians of Cumana, although their Country bee well replenished, with good bread, corn, fruits, and all kinde of fish in great abundance, yet eat Bees, Lice, Spiders, &c.

The Brasilian Bees are very unlike to ours, and dister not Hist. Navigat. in Brasil. Leti­us. much from the little black flesh Flye, which annoy us in Sum­mer, and make their combs usually in hollow trees; they call the hony Y [...]a, which they eat as wee do, their wax is as black as pitch, which they call Ye [...]i [...], they use it not for candles, as wee do, but to stop their great Canes, wherein they keep their fea­thers that they bee not eaten by a kinde of Butter-flye, which they call Arovers. They come in multitudes to the fire, like Crickets, where they eat whatsoever they finde, especially they gnaw the upper part of leathern doublets, and shooes. If wee negligently reserved hens, or other food, in the morning, wee, should have onely bones.

Several sorts of Bees in Brasile: Yeatee is the smallest of Mr. Joh. Stan [...]s▪ my friend, and neighbour who lived many years in Brasil. all the Bees that ever I have seen in the Country, and is in ma­king much like a gnat, but of a yellowish colour, and hath com­monly her hony in the hollow of a tree, either at the root, or not above three or four foot from it; it stingeth not, and where they enter, they make a pipe of yellowish wax about four inches long, with the mouth of it, like to the mouth of a Trumpet, the combs are joyned together like clusters of Nuts, and their hony is an excellent ba [...]some, for I have had experience of it my self for the curing of very dangerous green wounds.

Zellab, and Zellobson are the two chief sorts of Bees, and sting not at all; the lesser is so like our Bees here in England, that I think I should not know one from the other, the other is bigger, but yet much of the same colour; they have honey in abundance, and the further up into the Country the more plenty; I have [Page 206] seen more taken out of a tree at a time than a Firkin will hold, as clear as running water, but if drunken, it is exceeding-strong, and causeth thirst, it must bee taken very moderately. They build most commonly in some hollow bough of the tree, or else in the body of a tree, called by the Indians Kerauvab, they have their hony in clusters of balls, much like our Humble-Bees, and their young ones in combes which lye compassed with the balls of hony, and in the balls you shall find some hony as it is new brought in, very thick and dry, but taste it, it is very soure, and so some more near ripe, but not fit to eat, untill it come to be clear as water; you may see in the balls or clusters, the colour of the blossome from whence it was gathered.

There are two other sorts of Bees that are but small, and of a black colour, one sort stingeth not, but the other doth; they are very like each to other, and build about the middle of the tree, the hony of them both is much alike, but not so good as the former, being of a darker colour, and their combes are in manner with the former, and they are called E [...]ete.

There are other sorts of black Bees called Erepnoh and Erep­nohuson, they both sting, and intangle much in a mans hair, the one buildeth in the hollow of a tree, and the other in the bran­ches, that which buildeth in the hollow of a tree, will not suffer any man to come within two or three rods of the tree where they are.

I never saw any of their hony, but the natives have told me, that they have indifferent store, but it is very laxative, and breedeth diseases in the eater, as bloody flixes, &c. the other buildeth in the branches, and make their house of dirt, bigger than one of our large Bee-hives, and enter at the middle of it, their young▪ are as it were, in little cells or chambers, and from thence between several layings of dirt, they have their hony, which is not very much, but is binding.

There is another small sort of Bees, and they either build in fields, where there are but small store of trees, and they low ones; they are of an ashy colour, and build in the branches like Erepnohs but their nest is like a film, or skin, and of the colour of the Bee, they have not much hony, and have a thin flat combe, or else they build among the Tobacoes, and from thence they take their name, being called Tobac [...]v [...].

[Page 207]I Hispaniola their Wasps are greater than ours, and sting Purch [...] Pilg. 3. part. l. 5. c. 3. Oviedo l. 15. c. 3. more dangerously. There are many of them, and they very poy­sonfull, they cause great pain when they sting, they are like those of Castil [...], but somewhat greater, and under their wings above the yellow towards the end, have a little Lion-like colour. More Oviedo. Suma [...] ▪ [...]o de la na­turaly gene­ral istoria de las Indias c. 49. fully in another place, hee saith, There are many Wasps in the West-Indies. They are very hurtfull and venemous, and their stinging is without comparison, more painfull than the stinging of Spanish Wasps, they are almost of the same colour, but grea­ter, and the yellow of them is more red, and their wings are spotted with a black colour, and the points of them reddish of a burnt colour.

They make very great nests, and the clusters of their combs are as large as the combs that the Bees make in Spain, but they are dry and white inclining to russet, they have nothing in them but their young: They breed in trees, and also in the roofs and timbers of houses.

There are many Hornets in Hispaniola, and their stinging more torments, than the stinging of their Wasps. Rhamusio l. 15. c. 3. torzo V [...]l [...] Mr. John. Stanes. [...]

There are two sorts of Hornets in Brasile, which the Indians call Moribundas, the one black, and the other much of the colour of them wee have here in England, but the black is bigger and longer, and stingeth violently. They make their house like a Canopy, or much like to the top of a Bee-hive, and they are fastened to a bough of a very high tree; so that they seldome offend any man, unless they first offend them; but your herdsmen are sometimes much vexed with them, in driving their cattel, they are unruly many times, they run among some Sippoes or▪ Withes that run into the tree, whereby they disturb them, and then they come down to the terror of men and beasts. Their house is open below, so that you may stand un­der them, and see them go into a comb that lye [...]ll flat at the bottome, much like to our Hony-comb.