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New observations on the natural history of bees By: François Huber (1750-1831) |
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The spelling in the original is sometimes idiosyncratic. It has not
been changed, but a few obvious errors have been corrected. The
corrections are listed at the end of this etext.}
{Illustration: The figures that are referred to in the text}
NEW OBSERVATIONS
ON THE
NATURAL HISTORY
OF
BEES, BY
FRANCIS HUBER. TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL. EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR JOHN ANDERSON,
AND SOLD BY
LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME,
LONDON. ALEX SMELLIE, Printer. 1806.
To
SIR JOSEPH BANKS, BART. KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER
OF THE BATH, A PRIVY COUNCILLOR,
PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL
SOCIETY OF LONDON,
&c. &c. THIS TRANSLATION
IS INSCRIBED.
CONTENTS.
LETTER 1. On the impregnation of the queen bee page 1 LETTER 2. Sequel of observations on the impregnation
of the queen bee 41 LETTER 3. The same subject continued; observations
on retarding the fecundation of queens 44 LETTER 4. On M. Schirach's discovery 76 LETTER 5. Experiments proving that there are
sometimes common bees which lay fertile eggs 89 LETTER 6. On the combats of queens; the massacre
of the males; and what succeeds in a hive
where a stranger queen is substituted for
the natural one 108 LETTER 7. Sequel of observations on the reception
of a stranger queen; M. de Reaumur's
observations on the subject 137 LETTER 8. Is the queen oviparous? What influence
has the size of the cells where the eggs
are deposited on the bees produced?
Researches on the mode of spinning the coccoons 145 LETTER 9. On the formation of swarms 171 LETTER 10. The same subject continued 201 LETTER 11. The same subject continued 223 LETTER 12. Additional observations on queens
that lay only the eggs of drones, and on
those deprived of the antennæ 237 LETTER 13. Economical considerations on bees 253 APPENDIX 275
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE
The facts contained in this volume are deeply interesting to the
Naturalist. They not only elucidate the history of those industrious
animals, whose nature is the peculiar subject of investigation, but they
present some singular features in physiology which have hitherto been
unknown. The industry of bees has proved a fertile source of admiration in all
countries and in every age; and mankind have endeavoured to render it
subservient to their gratifications or emolument. Hence innumerable
theories, experiments, and observations have ensued, and uncommon
patience has been displayed in prosecuting the enquiry. But although
many interesting peculiarities have been discovered, they are so much
interwoven with errors, that no subject has given birth to more
absurdities than investigations into the history of bees: and
unfortunately those treatises which are most easily attained, and the
most popular, only serve to give such absurdities a wider range, and
render it infinitely more difficult to eradicate them. A considerable
portion of the following work is devoted to this purpose. The reader
will judge of the success which results from the experiments that have
been employed. Perhaps this is not the proper place to bestow an encomium on a treatise
from which so much entertainment and instruction will be derived.
However, to testify the estimation in which it is held in other nations,
the remarks upon it by the French philosopher Sue, may be quoted, 'The
observations are so consistent, and the consequences seem so just, that
while perusing this work, it appears as if we had assisted the author
in each experiment, and pursued it with equal zeal and interest... Continue reading book >>
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