The reformed Common-wealth of bees. Presented in severall letters and observations to Sammuel Hartlib Esq. With The reformed Virginian silk-worm. Containing many excellent and choice secrets, experiments, and discoveries for attaining of national and private profits and riches.

The Reformed COMMON-VVEALTH of BEES, Presented in severall Letters to Samuel Hartlib Esquire.

The Testimony of an Ancient Writer of Husbandry, of an incredible Revenue, which hath been raised from keeping of Bees.

Varro de Re Rustica, Lib. 3. c. 16.

DE fructu; Authorem habeo non soluno qui Alvearia sua locata habet quotannis quinis millibus pondo mellis, sed etiam h••nc Varronem nostrum quem audivi dice item, duos milites se habuisse in Hispania fratres Vejamos, ex agro Falisco locupletes, quibus cum a Patre relicta esset parva villa, & agellus non sa••e major jug••ro uno, h••s circum villam totam Alvearium facisse, & hortum habuisse ac reliquum Thymo, & cythiso obsevisse & apiastro; hos nunquam minus, ut peroeque d••cerent, dena millia Sextertia ex melle recipere esse Solitos

In English thus.

Concerning the profit of Bees, I have not onely a Witnesse, who saith, that he lets out his Bees for five thousand pounds of Honey by the yeer, but also our friend Varro here, whom I have heard say, that he had with him in Spain two Souldiers, brethren, and rich, to whom their Father left a small country house, and a little field, in truth, not greater than one acre, and that round about the house they made a place to keep Bees, and a garden, and planted the rest with thyme, cytisus and bawme, and were w••nt to receive yearly for Honey, reckoning one year with

another, never lesse than ten thousand Sesterces, which being in the time of the Consuls (before the Caesars) makes of our mony eighty three pound six shillings eight pence.

An Extract of a Letter containing new Observations upon the fore-alledged Testimony.

THe distinction introduced by the Gr••mmarians betwixt Sestertii and S••stertia, is not alwayes observed by Classical Authors: and so in Varro's words—denae millia Sestertia— signifieth no more than—de••i••s milla num••••i Sest••rtii—that is in English mony, reckoning the Sestert••us at two pence ster∣ling, (id quod praeter prop••er ••st verum ••jus preti••m) about four-score and three pound sterling, a very fair yearly Revenue to be got out of one Acre of ground, and therefore well worth the while, to be alledged by Varro, for to encourage men by this example to the keeping of Bees. If I were sure to get so much by it, I would soon turn a Bee-keeper, which I have a great mind to doe however before I dye; and therefore pray as many Se∣crets concerning these pretty Creatures, as possible you can at∣tain unto; and for your reward, I promise you a good propor∣tion of Honey and Wax out of my first Crop.

An Experiment of the Generation of Bees, practised by that great Husbandman of Cornwell, Old Mr. Carew of Anthony.

TAke a Calf, or rather a Sturk (or Steer) of a year old, about the latter end of Aprill, bury it eight or ten dayes, till it begin to putrifie and corrupt; then take it forth of the earth, and o∣pening it, lay it under some hedge, or wall, where it may ••e most subject to the Sun, by the heat whereof it will (a great part of it) turn into Maggets, which (without any other care) will live upon the remainder of the corruption. After a while, when they begin to have wings, the whole putrified carcasse would be carried to a place prepared, where the Hives stand ready, to which, being perfumed with Honey and sweet hearbs, the Mag∣gets (after they have received their wings) will resort. The Gentleman in Cornwell, that practised this Experiment, used

Hogsheads, or bigger Wine Casks, instead of Hives, and the practise of the Bee being to spend the first part of the Summer in filling the upper part of the Cask, and so still to work down∣wards: the Gentlemans usuall custome was (through a door in the upper part of the Cask) to take out what Honey he wan∣ted, without any disturbance to the Bees, whose work and abode then was in the lower part of the Cask.

Dr. Arnold Boate's Observations upon the Experiment of the Ge∣neration of Bees.

I Did ever think that the Generation of Bees out of the carcass of a dead Calf, given us by divers of the Ancients, but most amply and elegantly by Virgil in the fourth Book of his Geor∣gicks, had been a fiction, but am glad to find the contrary by your Letter, which confirmed the same out of Modern and Eng∣lish Experience. And I would as little have thought, that Bees would have wrought in such vast Hives as hogsheads, whereas some of the Ancients give us a Caveat, even of the ordinary Hives, not to make them too large—ne Apes anima despondeante ex desperatione implendi,—least Bees should be discouraged out of a despair to fill them.

The New Bee-Hive: Or a Discourse for the right making of Bee-Hives, shewing their materials, proportion, ordering, and placing; and lastly their use and benefit. Left for a Farewell to his Native Country, by that zealous publick-hearted and learned Gentleman Thomas Brown Dr. in Divinity, and of the Civill Law.

IT is clear from many good Authors, that the Ancients made a constant Revenue of their Bees without killing them at any time, and that this so profitable Government of Bees is now utterly lost, is too much apparent from the common practise of all Nations at this day, who generally kill the Bees to take the Honey. If by any conjecture or comparing one thing with another, we may be able to find out a meanes to preserve Bees,

and yet receive a constant and liberall benefit by them, is the sub∣ject of this following Discourse.

Although the History of Bees hath been largely handled, even to curiosity, yet the principal part of it, concerning their Preser∣vation, so as to raise a constant Revenue by them, hath not been so clearly set down, as the importance thereof deserveth, seeing that hereupon dependeth the whole businesse of a Bee-master; f••r from the multitude of Bees commeth the great increase of Honey, and the plenty of Honey is the chief Meanes to increase your Bees, which we shall easily and certainly doe, if we rightly understand and practise the naturall way of ordering them. This task at your intreaty I have adventured upon, whether I have performed it so fully and clearly as I seem to my self to understand it, the successe will judge.

For the preserving of Bees then, it is of absolute necessity, that they be abundantly provided of food, which in Summer your Garden and the neighbouring Fields must afford, for the Win∣ter they will furnish themselves; also that they be largely, con∣veniently, and cleanly housed, which two things rightly practised will perform what we desire.

I take it for a certain truth, that Bees doe never forsake the place of their breeding, so long as it is cleanly and large enough for them, and that accordingly in greatest company they prosper best, as frequent experience proveth, in such places, where they have chosen themselves dwellings in the bodies of great hollow trees, in which have been found combs full of Honey wrought down six or eight foot long, as also between the beames and floonings of houses with the like increase, which in all probabi∣lity could not be done by the labour of any one swarm, though of the greatest numbers, so that of necessity there must have been the increase of some yeares Bees, to bring together so great a masse of Honey, and it is truly observed, that the old and young Bees doe live quietly in the same Hive, as did the families in the old world, renewing themselves from year to year. If I shall shew you the way to accomplish this, I have done what I under∣took; upon these two Maximes lieth the foundation of all I have to say, that Bees will not leave their place of breeding, but for want of room, or some annoiance by noise or ill smells: that in

all their workings they move downwards, if the place hinder them not. According to these two Rules, your onely care is, to make your Hives of such a fashion, as doth naturally and ne∣cessarily agree with, and help forward this design, and this can be no other than flat, as well at the top, as at the bottome, both ends of an equall breadth to a hair, in all the Hives you make, so that they may be easily set one upon another, as many as you shall see necessary for your purpose, though in some places they make them square of four boards, yet because the round Figure is the most perfect. I rather choose it. For the right making of your Hives, I shall shew you their materials, proportion, order∣ing and placing; and lastly their use and benefit. You may make them, and that will be the best, of such empty Cask, as hath had in it Honey, Muskadine, Canarie, or Malaga wine, according as you have opportunitie, because these vessels, being already so well seasoned, will not easily loose their savour, and will the bet∣ter invite the Bees, both to come, and to remain in them.

For their Proportion I would have A. B. every Hive to con∣tain a just bushell within the work, the breadth of it to be a third part more than the height, that so it may stand the surer headed, but at one end, which must be C. the upper part of it, in the midst of that head, a round hole D. three or four inches wide, made very smooth, the Hives A. B. must be all of a widenesse from the top to the bottome, otherwise the Combs will not come out without breaking; six E. broad hoops will be sufficient, two in the midst, and two at each end, the lowest hoop must be set a large inch from the end of the vessell, leaving so much of it bare, which part must be exceeding smooth and strong, which bare place F. should be covered with a very thin hoop of Iron or brasse for its greater strength, and on the fore side of it, three in the midst for the great Bees, and six smaller on each side for the lesser, for there, and there onely it may receive offence, the uppermost hoop must be somewhat stronger and broader than the rest by a full inch, and so set on that it may stand out a full inch further than the end of the vessell, thereby leaving sufficient and fit space to set the lower part F. of another vessel fast into it as into a box, so close, that no air can come in, that it may not be moved.

And because Bees cannot conveniently work in such a void space without some support for their combs, the fittest that I can think on, may be made in imitation of such frames, as Gardi∣ners use for their Gillifloures, composed of three or four very small hoops, and as many side posts of Fir, with some crosse barres at the top, and in the middle to stay the Combs, and that these may not be shaken nor moved, in the bare space at the bottom of the vessell, bore two holes, one opposite to the other, through the vessell and the frame, and so fasten them toge∣ther.

And for the more easie and safe removing of your Hives, either to see in what estate they be, or to take away such as be full of Honey and empty of Bees, you must set upon every Hive two G. such iron handles as are usually upon bushels, and so you may command them at your pleasure. And for the great hole D. in the top of the Hive, you must make a cover H. with a shoulder and a handle, to stop it so close, that no air may come in. Your Hives A. B. being thus I. C. D. E. K. G. H. made, you must order them as followeth. I will suppose you have at least A. one Hive of old Bees, at the beginning of the year, take B. one of your new Hives, and sweeten both it and the frame very curiously, and fasten them together, set this Hive B. where you mean your Bees shall stand, leaving the hole D. at the top open, then take A. your old Hive of Bees, and cut away the skirts of it, as much as conveniently you may, to the very Combs, the neerer the better, and make a new door to it, and set it upon B. the new Hive, within the compasse of E. the hoop. And because in the Bees working down into the lower Hive, it is pro∣bable that the Combs of the two Hives will hang together, and so be troublesome to part them, to prevent this inconvenience, lay a false bottom, with a hole in it, upon the top of the lower Hive, close to the top of the lower Hive, and make it fast.

Your Hives being thus placed, your Bees, either for the sweet∣nesse in the new Hive B. or for want of room in the old, will make all haste to work down into B. the new, and so in a short time leave A. the old full of Honey and empty of Bees, both the old stock, and their increase, going down, working and abiding in B. the new Hive, whereby you shall have opportunity, when

you see it most convenient, to take away the upper Hive full of Honey, without the least trouble to the Bees, or to your self.

When you have taken away A. the upper Hive, set on the cover H. upon the hole in the lower Hive B. so close that no air may come in, and then set another new empty Hive, and a false bottom upon it, as before, sweetned and prepared under it, expecting a fit time when the upper Hive shall be full•• and the Bees gone down into this B. B. lower Hive, to take it away as you did the former, and so from time to time as long as the gathering season lasteth, but not towards winter. If your Bees increase plentifully, it will be necessary to have three Hives one upon another, that so the Bees may have room enough for them∣selves and their swarmes, if you see cause, you may adventure to four, but never higher, which number when you have happily attained, you shall set a new Hive well prepared and sweetned, as neer I. the mouth of the lowest Hive, as you can conveni∣ently, putting into it some Honey-comb, or other sweet things, and raising it on the side half an inch or more, that the Bees walking up and down may find a new dwelling ready for them, and at their next swa••ming goe into that Hive, and so make it the beginning of a new store.

The use and Benefit of all that hath been said is, that your Bees shall alwayes be provided of a sweet dwelling, large enough for themselves and their increase, and whereby they shall easily be kept together, also of such plenty of food, that when others starve they shall be alwayes strong, both Summer and Winter, whereby in all probability, by Gods blessing, and your own mo∣derate care, you shall have multitudes of Bees, and consequently abundance of Honey.

• A The first upper Hive.
• B The second, or the first lower Hive.
• B B The third, or the second lower Hive.
• C The upper bottome.
• E The hoops.
• F The lower end of the Hive.
• G The handler on the Hives.
• H The cover for the great hole in the up∣per Hive.
• I The mouths of the Hives.
• D The great hole in the upper bottome.

[illustration]

A Querie upon the description of Dr. Brown's new invented Bee-Hive.

VVHether the square Figure may not prove the best, in that there may better be placed a bill or drawer in the bottome of the Hive, into which (being drawn forth) there may from time to time be food laid for any particular Hive, without any disturbance to or from the rest of the Hives, where every particular Hive may (if occasion require) shut up and feed by it self, which in the ordering of Bees may prove many times of good concernment.

A Letter discovering a new kind of excellent food for Bees.

SIR, Being much indebted to you for the gift of your Lega∣cie, and other choice pieces, and understanding that you are about another of the like nature, which you intend to publish. I thought good in the mean time (till occasion prompt some other meanes to serve you) to impart unto you this notable Se∣cret, which I had from an old Germane Captain concerning Bees, that by long experience the Planting of Anise neer them proved the best meanes for multiplying and keeping of them, as also for their breeding of great store of Honey. That the Hearb being taken, and the inside of the Hives rubbed therewith, causeth great multitudes of Bees to etner, and become close retainers to those Hives, which ought to be placed directly against the Sun, so that the Sun beames fall just into the Orifices of them. That the feeding upon this plant will cause each Stock to en∣gender and thrust out three young ones in one year, within which space they doe else not nse to doe so above once. That against the time of their thrusting forth, other Hives ought to be placed next to those from whence they thrust forth, which, as also the way leading to the Orifices, are to be rubbed with the Anise in such sort, that the juyce of the Hearb may come forth and stick thereunto, and the young Stocks that come forth from the old, will certainly enter into those, and not repair any where else. But in case that upon the neglect any be swarved

forth, and settled unto some tree, the fault may be amended by rubbing the inside of the new Hive with Anise, and holding it on the top of a long pearch unto the Bees, who will enter there∣into of themselves as soon as they scent the sweetnesse of the Anise.

The abovesaid Captain related, that a Baron in Austria so thrived by this secret, that he furnished many Countries with Honey and Wax, and thereby abundantly increaseth his wealth and revenue. This I thought to hand unto the publick by your meanes, resting

Sir,

your most affectionate to serve you F. H.

SIR,

I pray pardon the rudenesse of my language, and to surro∣gate that which may better abide the touch-stone of publick view. For my being continually called upon will not give me leave to doe it better.

An Extract of a Letter concerning this New kind of food for Bees.

ABout the Secret concerning Bees, on which you desire my judgement, I can say nothing else, but that it must be re∣ferred to Experience, whereby if it be confirmed (as indeed I doe think that very likely) I shall be extreamly beholding to you for it, and I may chance to make great use of it one day, be∣seeching you heartily, that when ever any of the like shall come to your hands, you would be pleased to impart the same unto me.

Another Extract of a Letter upon the same Subject.

MOst of those Authors that write of the nature and govern∣ment of Bees, of whom I have the matter of a dozen here, name sundry Hearbs, to which the Bees have a particular liking, and divers others, that are good in sundry respects to be neer the Hives, but not one of them all doth name Anise, in either

of those two Classes, as my inquiry (for which I had no time when I wrote to you about that matter first) hath taught me; so as that Secret which you imparted unto me concerning the same (a most excellent one indeed if confirmed by sure experi∣ence) is altogether new, and not borrowed from ancient Writers, as you may see hereby.

How Anise may be got to grow in England, is taught in that ex∣cellent Book, called, The Garden of Eden, as followeth.

SOwe English Annise-seeds, when the Moon is at the full, in February, or any time between the full and the change: if frosts will not suffer you to take the full Moon, hatch them into the ground with a rake stricken thick upon them; then strew new horse-dung thinly upon the ground, to defend the seeds from the frost. — These will ripen about Bartholemew-tide; then respecting the Moon, as before, sowe again, and these seeds will be ripe sooner than those which were sown in February. These seeds will also come up well, being self sown, onely break up the ground about them when they begin to ripen. That ground which you would sowe in February, break up about Mi∣chaelmas; let it lie and crumble all the winter, then when you mean to sowe, stir it up again, that it may be mellow, for the mellower the better. A black rich mellow ground is best, and they like well in a rich dunged ground. Proved by S.

A Translate of a Letter written in High-Dutch, communica∣ting a Secret for the better ordering and preserving of Bees, practised beyond the Seas.

SIR, I give you many thanks for that direction about Bees, but I cannot perceive, how by that way we may prevent their swarming, or the trouble of hiving them. Nor doth that way avoid the vulgar errour of destroying the best Bees for their Honey.

To remedy all these and many other inconveniences, I have formerly sought an unusuall way, and in practise have found it good and profitable.

I caused Hives of glasse to be made, and covered them with wood; in which Covers I made windowes to be opened when I list, which served me for the better considering of their na∣ture, but afforded me no help in the foresaid inconvenience, for such I account them, though I see your man be of a contrary opinion, speaking of often swarming, as a thing very advan∣tageous. It is true, the more swarmes you have, the greater is the number of Hives in your Bee-garden, but the stocks are so much the weaker, especially every metropolitan stock, out of which his three or four Swarmes issued: which consideration gave occasion to that precept, given heretofore by experienced Bee-masters, not to suffer any stock to swarm above twice in a year, but rather to prevent it, by giving the Bees more room, which is done by setting the Bee-hive some inches higher from the bench or stool upon which they stand.

That swarming weakeneth the first stocks, is manifest to any one that considereth, that for the production and breeding of the young Bees, there is in every Hive a great number of atten∣dants, somewhat larger than the Bees (we call them Drones) which are fed by the labours of the Bees, as long as they pre∣pare for swarming; but as soon as the Bees resolve to send-out no more Colonies, they fall upon the Drones and kill them. The young Bees are also kept idle till their General be ready, and the whole Army be fit to march out all together for a new plantation. The oftner that such swarmes issue out of a stock of Bees, the more is the dammage and charge that it suffers from these Drones and young Bees: All which cost and char∣ges are spared in my way, so that my Bees never intending to swarme, had so much the more provision for bad weather and winter, and did so much the sooner set their young ones to work for themselves, and to earn their own meat, as having no pre∣tence to be kept idle,

Secondly, In the common way it is so hard to keep Bees from flying away in swarming time, that the most diligent watchers of them doe now and then lose a Swarm: But in my way of ordering them such watching is unnecessary; for my Bees ne∣ver fly away, because I prevent all occasions of swarming: By which meanes they are also kept from breeding of Drones, and

new Master-Bees, or Generals; and their young Bees, as soon as they can fly, are set to work among their Elders.

Thirdly, I never needed to kill any of my Bees, and yet I could share with them in the Honey. It was not unusuall with me to make a whole barrel of Honey and Wax out of one Stock or Hive. And besides all these conveniences, my Bees were farre better secured and defended from excessive heat and cold, from vermine, theeves, and all other their troublers and enemies. They had also this accommodation, that when they were laden they went downward, but clambered upward when they were unladen, whereas the contrary is necessary in the common-way.

I make no question, but that by this time you long to hear what course I took with them; nor shall I be nice in communi∣cating it, though it cost me above two hundred Rix dollers. But if you were here, I could farre more easily shew it, than I can now find words to expresse it well in writing especially thus in a Letter.

My Bee-hives did not stand upright after the usual manner, but lay upon two long poles or railes within my house, in a Garret, close under the Roof, where the Bees could creep in and out under the tiles. The close end of the Hive touched the tiles of the roof. In the upper part of each Hive I did cut a hole for the Bees to goe in and out. The wide end of the Hive com∣monly stands clapt down upon some plank, but in mine it was shut up with a bottom made of straw, pinned to it on every side with wooden skewets. And by the like meanes I could adjoyn straw-hoops of what breadth I pleased, and so lengthen any of my Hives as often as need was, so that they never swarmed, though their number increased so much, that by several additions a Hive became two or three yards long.

The way of taking their Honey from them was thus; I un∣pinned the wide end of a Hive, and by burning linnen rags I smoaked up the Bees thence toward the close end of the Hive; and then I might freely take away the prolongers or additional hoops one after another, till I thought the Bees could not well spare any more Honey.

This slight description may make it seem a small matter to those that consider not, that all the aforesaid conveniences will undoubtedly follow it.

Hereafter I may perhaps expresse it more fully, when I have more leisure to write; especially if my affairs would permit me to come to you to confer at large of this, &c.

Another Authors description of the said Secret.

[illustration]

• A A common Bee-hive.
• B A Prolonger to lengthen or eeke out the Hive withall.
• C A hole cut in the upper end of the Hive A.
• D A bottom or dore to shut up the Hive, whether it be single as A, or lengthened as A B B.
• E The wooden pins in B and D for the joyning of them to the ends of A or B.

SIR, I here send you the description of my long Bee-hives expressed in picture: Wherein (A) is a common Bee-hive,

not standing, as the usuall manner is, but laid along upon one side. In the upper part of the Hive I cut a round or four cor∣nerd hole, through which the Bees may passe in and out, here marked with C. In the placing of the Hive you may turn that hole downward if you will, but I turn it alwayes upward, that the Bees, when they are laden, may rather goe downward than up∣ward. Besides, if I turn it not upwards I cannot well set it close to any hole, left for the Bees entrance, under the tiles in the roof of a Garret, which is a farre surer way than after the usuall manner, to leave them in a Garden, exposed to theeves, vermin, and distempers of weather. Where the roof is inconvenient, I use to make a hole in the upright wall of a Garret, and set the Hive close up against the wall, with a hole in its head precisely answering to that hole in the wall.

The open end I shut up with a bottom made of straw, as you see represented at D, which may be opened easily, and yet shuts close and firm by the help of those wooden pins here marked with E.

When I perceive that my Bees have neer filled their Hive, I take off that Shutter D, and set on a Prolonger, like the Hive, but that it hath no head, such as are here marked with B, and then shut it up, as before, with that straw door D. Thus I may add as many Continuators as I please, shutting close up to one another, alwayes closing the last with D

Whensoever I intend to take some Hony from the Bees, I provide linnen rags, wherewith I make a smoak, and let it into the Hive, by pulling away the door D, from whence the Bees are driven by the smoak toward their small entrance C, so that I may safely take away as many prolongers as I think good, and put a fresh one in the place, shutting it up with the door D.

A Phylosophicall Letter, treating of many other Secrets and Experiments for generall Riches and Profits, be sides those ari∣sing from Bees.

IN pursuance of your request, and performance of my promise, I shall, according to what I may, indeavour to answer your desire, knowing your sincere Zeal for, and care of the Publick.

Truly Sir, I should very hardly have entred the stage, had it not been out of that inclination I have to serve you, who neglecting all private interests, doe wholly spend your self in labouring to profit others, who how f••r they may take notice of your pious and sincere endeavours herein I know not, but confidently perswade my self, that your labour will not be lost as to future Ages, who will assuredly take notice of your pains and care, and will esteem your labour accordingly.

I have read several Pieces, by your self published, both lately and formerly, and those discovering, not onely Divine and Spi∣ritual, but also Humane and Temporal Mysteries. As to the first sort of your Discoveries, I hope there is none so unprinci∣pled in Christianity, but must and will confesse, that by such Ta∣lent improving Servants much will redound to the advantage of the Lord the Creditor, and for the edification of many in the wayes of Righteousnesse. But as to the later, perhaps the ignorance or perversenesse of the times may impute that to fol∣ly, which the ripest of the Imputers could hardly equall with so∣lid and reall wisdom, yet you may resolve, that the time will be, when your undertakings herein will more earnestly be prized, for I perswade my self, and that not without good ground, That it is not now long before the time shall come, when Ingenuities of all kind shall more and more flourish, when the envy of Artists shall cease, who shall not then be jealous, least oth••rs with a dry finger should attain to such things by bare reading, which they in finding out have tryed so many wearisome Experiments, which in mine opinion is (though I confesse God by this meanes doth keep obscured, that which he in his justice judges the ungrateful world at pre∣sent unworthy of) but a meer humane conceit, and full of flesh∣ly fragility, for considering the many ripe wits which are in the world, If a man, who hath attained to any measure of reall discovery, should as freely impart the same to such, of whose sincerity he is assu∣red, and withall such, who with himself are daily searchers into the secrets of Nature, I am confident, that by this joynt improvement of their utmost ability, more in some few yeares would be found out, then by any one single man could be attained, though he should live to a very great age.

Therefore Sir, I cannot but judicially honour your desires of vindicating what ever excellent you can meet with, from the dark cloud of obscurity, that so the Publick may by this meanes reap the fruit of that se••d, being thus scattered, which, if stifled under a clod, would have been for ever unuseful. Besides many other useful Pieces, those which more neerly concern us here in England, are your two Books of Husbandry, the one shewing us our Defects here in England, the other the Braband Husban∣dry, which with Gods blessing I hope will redound to the filling of our Pastures with Cattle, our Gardens with all sorts of Roots and Hearbs, our Garners with store of Grain, to the wonderful good of this place. Next your Design for Plenty, in the uni∣versal planting of fruit trees, to which two I hear you are adding a third Treatise concerning Bees. These three Treatises con∣cern our good and welfare so neerly, that I can but wish them as happily embraced, as ominously offered. For indeed if they were put in practise, the Advantage which the Common-wealth would reap therein, is beyond estimation: for first of all the plenty of food would soon cheer the mind of those, who through the scarcity thereof, and other necessities, are now like∣ly to ••amish, of which the overplus w••uld not onely provide Cloths, the other staffe of life, which necessitie craveth, but also produce several staple Commodities, by the which Con∣veniency, yea, superfluity it self would be maintained among tho••••w•••• for prese•••• are destitute of Necessaries.

••or to give you a tast herein, i•• Lands were improved for Hay and Root••, as the Brabant Husbandry doth cheifly insi∣nu••te, that which at p••esent is wa••t, and of little value, would yeild both Roots for mans nourishment, and Hay for fodder for Cattel•• by which a double benefit would arise: First, the in∣crease of Cattel•• and with them of Butter, Cheese, Bees, &c. Secondly, Land by this improvement would be brought to be of farre gr••ater value for the like, or any other imployment for future. To these adde the Oyle, which the Seeds of Roots would produce, if in qu••ntity sown. And then the Roots them∣selves, with Gra••••es, Turnip-tops, and the like method, as in the l••rge Epistle is taught, with the Hay, would be enough (if not to spare) to feed Cattel that are to be fatted, Milch-Cowes, and

labouring beasts, so would the Pastures be the lesse burdened, onely with Sheep and other dry Kine; nor should we be so driven in cold weather for the keeping of Cattel, which by this meanes would not onely be in good plight, but even fat in the midst of Winter: Then the abundance of all sort of Grain, which would be in these Nations with the Fruits and Honey, would be cast upon us as a superfluous inriching, as if the Bounty of the most High were not content to make us happy, but of all other Nations most wealthy: For besides the making of Bread and Beer out of Grain, upon which account it is a thing prized of most Nations that are civilized, and the ordinary and known use of Fruits, I know, and that upon most infallible grounds, that by the abundance of these we might better our Being, beyond what at first thoughts can be apprehended.

Leaving then all known Mechanical Uses of these Commodi∣ties, with the value of them on that account, as they are (in specie) I shall hint some other Applications of them, without conside∣rable charge or trouble, by which meanes a most incredible ad∣vantage may redound to him, who hath opportunity, leisure, and list to experiment. And first as to the making of Wines: And secondly of Strong Waters, or Spirits; of which how much is imported into this Nation annua••ly, it is beyond my reach to compute.

Whereas, if instead of having these brought into •••• we were able, besides our own store, to export the like, or farre greater quantity, none will deny, but that this Art would indeed b•• (as to the benefit from it redounding) inv••l••••••le. I say then, and can demonstrate, that out of all Graines which are of a mealy sub∣stance, as also out of all Seeds of the like nature (not oyly) may be made excellent Strong Waters, or Aqua vitae; as also out of all Fruits, Plums, Berries, or Roots; that out of Berries, Fruits and Roots is more mild, but by Grain mal••ed and Honey it may be quick∣ned. There are of inferior sort of Graines, as Rye, Oates, Pease, and the like, which handled as Barly, untill it sprout Corn, need not then for this work be dryed, but beaten and moisted with its own liquor, and soundly fermented, and will so yeild a monstrous increase. Out of one bushel of good Pease, I know, will come of Spirit, at the least two gallons or more, which will be as strong as the strongest Annise-seed-water

usually sold in London: This I know is the least, and is done without malting.

Now to these adde your drossie Honey, that, to wit, which comes not forth without squeezing the Combs, and you shall encrease your quantity abundantly; so then by the meanes of Honey, Graines and Fruits, we shall not need so much to fetch Canary or Malago Wines from the Spanish Territories, nor White or Rhenish Wines from the French and Germane Coast, so to inrich them with our Commodities, for which we receive but a pallate-pleasing Iuyce, which nature craves not for necessity, nay the greatest part thereof is infused in sinful superfluity, bearing the greater price, because farre fetcht; whereas the Nations, with whom Wine is made, use farre lesse of it than we who buy it at Rack rates, so that it is a Prov••••b Hispa••us rarò ebrius, The Spaniard is seldome 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The more is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both our sin and shame, who oft abuse 〈…〉〈…〉 to drunkennesse; whereas if it were once 〈…〉〈…〉 (as its easily so to be made) a domestick Commodity, no ma•• then would want it for his necessary use, and by the reason of its commonnesse, the price of it would be brought farre lower, and by c••nsequence the request it finds among the sipping Gallants of our time would abate; so that this benefit at least would redound, that besides the moderation which would ensue of that Excise in drinking (which now alas to our shame is in use among us) we should be able to send forth in considerable quantity that very Commodity, the Import whereof doth stand this Nation, now yearly, in an incomputable sum of money, be∣sides the support of several families by the use of them in Specie, which alone were enough to make the abundance thereof to us, not onely acceptable, but also desirable,

As for the use of Spirits I need not to mention them, since utterance, I suppose, presents it self yearly to this Nation of as much as it can spare, and more, I suppose, could be vended, if it might be had. Yet one thing I may speak as to that particular: It is known, that Fish is no small part of the traffique of this Nation, besides that which is used among our selves for our own spending; of which (especially Cod-fish the principal Merchant∣able Fish that is sold) is taken at the banks of New-found Land, and New England. Now what quantities of Spirits are spent

among the Fishing Companies in New and Old England? I suppose many know better than I can Inform them, who for the most part are supplied with Dutch or French Brandy, those Nations eating, as it were, the Bread out of our mouths, by which meanes the wages of the painful Fisherman is, for the most part, at the winding up pocketted by Strangers, whereas if we were able to furnish the same Commodity at like or lower price, it would be to us no small annual profit, since, in such like Trade, the Fisherman consumes, for the most part, one half of his year∣ly earnings.

But I shall leave the managing of Commodities to those who are conversant in such Employments, at present bounding my self with this, Ne sutor ul••ra Crepida••n: It is enough for me to shew how Commodities may be raised, and those domestick, with inconsiderable paines and trouble, but for the improve∣ment of them, it is good I should leave that task to such, who professedly take upon them the charge of such matters.

But while I thus swerve from my professed theme, which is to give you (according to that Observation that I have taken) an account of Bees; give me leave to hint one thing, which (in my opinion) is the Master-piece of whatsoever you have waded in. I cannot say that you are the Author of it, since I have read many Overtures made of and concerning that Subject, by others, yet I know that your self are none of the least drivers on of that design, namely, the Advancing of Credit, so as to make Bills Currant in payment, to the wonderful encrease of Trading, to which I may also adde your Office of Publique Addresse, both which Enterprizes (if not unseasonable mercies at present) I hope the Lord will give this Nation to enjoy,

But as concerning our present matter, which at this time I chiefly intend, namely, concerning Bees, I understand from you, that your chief desire to be informed concerning them, is first, How they may be engendred? Secondly, How encreased? and thirdly, How inriched with Wax and Honey?

For the first, The truth is, I have read in some Authors of their engendering out of dead Kine, fermented with the falling dew. Some think, that out of any kind of beast Bees may be produced, and doe conclude, that the Bees which bestowed their Honey on

the carcasse of the Lion, slain by Samson, were of this nature, and bred out of that savage Creature; yet must I confesse, that I never yet saw the Experiment of Bees engendred in or from any dead Carcasse, though I have known several sorts of dead Creatures both open, and covered with leaves, lightly exposed to the continual dewes, yet never could I take notice of any such procreation. And that out of Kine, either strangled, or other∣wise dying, and so lying abroad, exposed to the influence of the Heavens, Bees naturally will not spring, I am induced: For that in the Summer Islands, where I was born, I never yet saw one Bee, except those of a kind called Humble Bees, where notwith∣standing, to my knowledge, divers Cattle both younger and older, have (perishing by mischance, as it oft falls out there, that the very heat of the noon. Sun in Summer kills Cattle if not re∣moved into the shade) lyen in the open fields till they have rotted, and have not a night scarce wanted the dew, in which Maggots and Wormes have bred, but no Bees, which if they were so to be bred, I suppose would in lesse than fourty yeares have been seen in those Islands, in which I never saw any, though I was naturally a great Observer of Insects there, where I noted Waspes, but no Honey making Bees. Nor is it to be thought, that the Climate is averse to the Generation of Insects, which it there produceth of other kinds as plentifully, if not more than many other places, in which Bees are,

Also my ingendred Curiosity was so great, that I took the pain to observe and collect the Generation of several Insects, with their various mutations from kind to kind, sparing no di∣ligent travel that might benefit me herein. For so soon as I began to read a little in Philosophy, I took great content in these Contemplations, which after in New England I as carefully no∣ted. In the Summer Islands I found, that in Rain-water kept in wooden Troughs (especially where the Sun at some time of the day shineth on it) there would in time gather a sedimen of muddy matter to the bottome, black and slimy, out of which would breed at the bottom, crawling long ill-favoured Wormes, with many feet: these Wormes growing bigger and bigger would swim and play together, and engender sexually, till at last growing more slow, they would at length lose almost all

motion, at last coming to the top of the water, would by the legs hang neer the superficies, where in few dayes, opening the back, out of them proceeds a Fly, which crawling out of the water, is for a day or two tender, after able to fly, which Fly, after a time casting its skin, becomes another creeping Insect, with out wings, and of it proceeds another Fly, farre different from the former. So in the ground, I have often under stones or tufts of grasse found tender Wormes, which are naturally in time of their own accord incrusted, and so lying a space, at length break, out of which comes a great Butter-fly, which layeth her Eggs on the Orange tender leaves, where the dew hatcheth them into Wormes, which live on the leaves, and if touched send forth long red hornes; these at length, hanging to the n••••••r part of a bough, are incrusted, and after a long death turning the same kind of Butterfly, which before came out of the Earth.

Another sort of Wormes, ingendred by the 〈…〉〈…〉 ences in the Earth, being incrusted, proves a singing 〈…〉〈…〉 after its season, cleaving to a Tree, casteth its skin, and of a ••ly becometh a creeping sceptile, and so liveth a long time, till about the season of the year when that Fly cometh again. This creeping thing on some tree or other for a time is almost with∣out motion, at last bursting insunder in the back, out of it comes the like singing Fly as came before out of the first Worm, which was bred in the earth.

Many such like Generations of Wormes in the Earth, and of crawling Creatures in the Waters, which after turn into Flies, and so again into other husky Wormes without motion, and from them to other flying Insects. I might speak largely, were it not besides my proposed intent and scope at present.

A third very anomalous Generation, which I have noted, is of a sort of stinging Flies out of rotten Trees: these, in the Sum∣mer Islands, I have observed out of the rotting Palmeto, and in New England I have seen the same in rotten Poplar and Birch: In which a man may at one time see some, like to a tender Sper∣matical milk, enclosed in a most tender skin, others like to a white Maggot, with a little motion, others now almost shaped like a Fly, others full formed, and able to crawle, others ready to come forth, and in a short time after to fly.

The Generations of Beetles, Dorres, &c. I have also diligent∣ly enquired into, and find, that under stone hedges, where dung∣hils are usually made of Rubbish, they doe chiefly proceed, which some sort of Sea shell-fish, buried in the Earth, doe also produce the same in kind and fashion with the former. Yet, as I said, I never yet could experimentally find any rise of Bees from putrefaction, though by me, for curiosity sake, oft attempt∣ed, and that with the bloud, also with the flesh of Kine, such as by accident perishing, I could procure part of them for tryall sake; this I have kept, some openly exposed to the dew, others covered with Rubbish (as for the Generation of other Insects) other while defended with green leaves and straw, and so bu∣ried in the Earth, others covered with earth immediately with∣out any defence from the same, in which variety of operations, as I had variety of successe, at various seasons of the year, so never did the event answer the end, for which I imployed this industriou•• ••nquiry. If any Gentleman, that hath on his own experien••e tried this manner of production of Bees, please to impa••t ••is 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •• shall be unto him really thankful, and re∣qui••e 〈…〉〈…〉 perhaps with as acceptable a disco∣very

〈…〉〈…〉 my opinion, is, as it were, Natures recreation, 〈…〉〈…〉 the f••acid ferment of putrifying Bodies doth 〈…〉〈…〉 there is singular and rare variety, so they are int••eded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blessings or scourges to Man. The Bee, the Silk∣wor••, the Cochmeel, how greatly profitable to Mankind they have been I need not repeat, nay most Insects of a shelly or scaly nature, being very excellent in medicinal qualities. I think then, that our sloth is very great, in that we neglect the inquiry into this particular. I shall a little touch, and perhaps not im∣pertinently here. In the Summer Islands there is a sort of Spi∣der, that is very large, and of admirable gay colours, yellowish, blackish, greenish, and reddish, so intermixed, that it makes the Creature very delectable to look on; these in great multitudes are there, who live abroad in the open fields, spinning their webbs from tree to tree of a vast bignesse, to catch Flies in, on the which they prey: their webbs are yellow, and most pure Silk, of which one Maid for tryall knit a pair of Gloves, which prove

in wearing no whit inferiour to the best Silk of the Silk-worm. Now if these Spiders were so kept, as an ingenions man might easily invent, they by feeding kept in good plight, might be made to spin quantity enough, for as much as in few houres they will spin a large web, if their old one be taken away, else they mind one∣ly their prey. But the triall of what may be done in this, I leave to others who may have opportunity; this I onely insert here to shew, that not the Silk-worm onely yeeldeth Silk, which is common to this Spider with them, and that of the Spider nothing in••eriour to the Silk, which the Worm spinneth.

Again the Cochmeel, which is so rich a Commodity, cometh out of a fruit called the Indian Fig or prickled Pear, which as yet none of our Nation have attempted to make, which is the cause that die is so scarce, although in all the Summer Islands the Tree bearing that fruit is most plentifull, and the generation of that Ins••ct as easie as may be, if but attempted with ingenuity The leaf is of a thick slimy nature, the fruit full of seeds and ••loud∣red, very wholsome, and hath this property, that it passeth strait to the urine retaining it•• colour, and is rejected by urine is red well nigh as it was taken in. This same fruit is not of the like tincture with the Insects proceeding from it, but give a colour almost like to Brasil••tto wood, which in the fire in a few dayes perisheth. But the Insect ••ngendred of this fruit is of a most permanent Tincture, I for curiosity examined other Vegetables which were of Tincture, and found them all to yeeld Insects of the like tincture, with that out of which they were procreated.

In particular, and with much Curiosity, I examined Shoomake Berries, wh••ch have a red out-side, like to the furre of V••lvet, in small red graines, but the inner kernel not answering the out-side in colour, I found the Insects not considerably tincted red, yet in Medicinall Operations by farre surpassing the virtue of the Bare Berries, for they had a peculiar diccretick quality.

There is a Berry also groweth in great quantity, both in the Summer Islands and in New England, which makes me to con••eive, that it would also grow here: It is with them of the Summer I∣slands commonly called Redweed, the virtue of it is purgative upwards and downwards strongly, the Berry is as red as the prickled Pear, and gives much the like tincture. This Berry I

intended to prepare for Medicinal uses•• but by occasion my De∣sign in that being frustrated, I assayed to see what manner of Insects it would yeeld, and there came forth first Wormes, which growing husky, with small bumps where the head or upper part lay (which is easily distinguished in such Insects) I perceived thereby it would produce a Fly, which accordingly it did, which was of the bignesse of the Cochmeel fly, but a little longer, which grew by the same matter, out of which they were engendred, to a considerable bignesse, when I taking them out, in a gentle heat in a close gl••sse, killed them, and dryed them, and though I have oft assayed the Cochmeel for curiosity sake, yet I could not find this, as to the point of tincture, any whit inferiour to that Insect, and as to Medicinal virtue aequi valent, if not exceeding the other.

And I am co••fi••••nt (though that I have not tryed) that out of Brasil••••to like Insects of the same excellent tincture may be produced, knowing experimentally, that out of any Wood-berry may, by an ani∣n anta 〈◊〉〈◊〉 f••rmentation (if I may so speak) be produced•• first a small Wor••, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 growing hig••er groweth husky, and at last becomes a 〈…〉〈…〉 suffered to grow till it have waxed a little, 〈…〉〈…〉 the tincture of the Concrete whence it ••a•• produced, which then being graduated beyond its own na∣ture, leav••••h its d••e in grain.

I have been the longer upon these kind of Insects, desiring, at least, with as much brevity as I can, to give hints of what rare Secrets are in Nature attainable: So that if any desire the way to fix a faling Colour, consider if that C••lour will hold untill the Com∣pound may receive a ferment (f••r fermentation openeth the Body) a••ter which thou shalt cause it to engender Insects, which is an easie Art: These Insects will give thee the tincture of its Original Concrete, which will hold in grain.

Now as to Medicinal Virtues of Insects I might be very large, but I shall willingly passe them over; onely this I shall say, being desirous to try what might be done upon this account, I took Blood, and pouring the Water from the Clodds of them, by putrefaction I had great Maggots, with moisture, which con∣suming the moisture grew in quantity, and were in a manner dry, these I washed clean, killed them, and bruised them, and of

them had in a second putrefaction other lesse Maggots, some∣what differing from the other, and with a tolerable smell to the other; these being grown to their greatest, I washed again, kil∣led, and so putrified them, and this a third and a fourth time I repeated, then I took them, and having first washed them, di∣gested them (being bruised) for six weeks, and distilling them, had a Water and a yellow coloured Oyle, of the most exquisite penetrating resolving vertue that ever I knew, which I yet call Oleum Lumbricorum Verum, Attempting the same with livers of Beasts it succeeded in like manner.

But now to return to the History of Bees, to wit, their propa∣gation; It is known, that if they have good Hives, with con∣venient shelter, and sufficient store of meat, they will encrease sufficiently. So then the main matter is to know how Bees may best be stored with Honey.

First of all, if your Design of planting of Fruit trees take ef∣fect, that alone would mightily encrease Bees, it is not to be cre∣dited what one Orchard will afford to that purpose. But be∣cause the time of the blossoming of Fruit trees lasts not long, there would be found out some fit meanes for to nourish them in the later moneths of the year; it being a Proverb, that a Swarm of Bees in May is worth a Cow and a Bottle o•• Hay, whereas a Swarm in July is not worth a Fly. For it is evident, that the dew which falls on the floures is that which Bees suck; though Iuly, August, September, and part of October, are for the heat of weather, as seasonable for Bees to work in as May, yet in them they enrich themselves but little, because of the scarcity of Flours, Blossomes, Honeysuckles, and the like, which at that season of the year are rare.

Your Letter to me (in which is the transcript of part of an Epistle) to this end, commending the planting of Anise, doth seem very rational; first in that Anise yeilds an innumerable company of small floures (as also sweet Fennel) which if gather∣ed in a morning, the dew on the flowers is very pleasant. The like also is on Parsly, Carroots, in their flouring, but not so pleasant or grateful to the Bees as Anise or Fennel, in regard of the sweet scent which they carry, which alone is very alluring to them. For in dew it self is a sweet Sacharine salt, which yet Bees

doe not so much desire, unlesse it have a ••ermentall Odour, which it acquires within the Concavity of sweet floures, as of Thime, Rosemary, Anise, or Fennel, &c. Yea, Experience it self shewes, that by the ferment of these the dew is transmuted, and obtaines a sweetnesse many degrees passing bare dew, yea, and a Consi∣stence also, as appeares in Manna, The reniabin, and the like, the falling of which I have oft and diligently noted, and find it to be materially nothing but dew, which falling on some things be∣comes inspissated: Yet cannot I but respect the making of Ho∣ney, as a thing peculiar to Bees, and although according to the Proverb (& mel sibi parant vespae) yet in my opinion there is worthily a great difference to be acknowledged between Ho∣ney and other inspissated sweetnesses, so that neither Manna, nor any such falling congealed sweetnesse, hath the like nature as Honey, which in its Analysis more easily is apparent. I oft have with a clean linnen gathered the sweetnesse of the tops of Fennel, and wringing it out of the linnen, have tryed if or no it had the parts of Honey, but found in them a great difference, by which I learned, that Bees out of the falling dew, by a pecu∣liar fermenting virtue, doe really transmute what they suck into Honey. Also that Flowers within th••m contain a ••erment, by which the dew that falls in them is ••nverted into a thicker su••stance, and sweet, yet f••rmally disting••ished from Honey, which the Bees allured, both by the smell and tast, doe greedily resort to and suck, and of it load themselves, out of which they doe separate a more fat sub∣stance, which they also transmute into Wax, with a formal trans∣mutation.

For as much as Wax formally differs from all fatnesse in the World, so then the dew, which being collected from any Floures, will scarce yeild a twentieth part of Caput mortuum, being by the Bees suckt and d••gested into Honey, then (if distilled) will yeild neer a third part in a Coal, and the liquor that di••tils will be part coloured, with an exquisite sharp taste, and a faetor of Empyreum, which in the other is not so to be found. By which it appeares, that the Bee finds not his Honey made before-hand, but transmutes that which was not Honey into Honey, by a peculiar gift of the Creator. So by this it may be gathered, that Anise in all probability will perform what is promised of it

in regard of its fragrant scent, which is so acceptable to that working Insect. For I remember, when once upon an Experi∣ment, I was digesting a thing w••th Oyle of An••se seeds in the Sun, neer an Orchard, in which were many Hives, the Bees did swarm exceedingly to the scent, but that which was digesting being of an intoxicating nature, the Bees were with it amuzed, and so by the hot Sun killed out-right, and I am confident, had I continued my digestions any considerable time, I had soon un∣stock nigh a dozen of Hives, so allu••ing is the ••ragancy of that scent to that Creature. Yea I have observed, that it is common to them with Waspes, to be exceedingly drawn with any eminent sweet Odour. Adde to the fragrancy of smell the excellent swee••ning ••erment, which from Anise or Fennel floures is com∣municated to the dew, so that to suck such clusters of Floures in a morning is almost as pleasant as to suck a Honey-combe for taste.

But the third and main excellency in Anise, is the long dura∣tion of the flouring time, which may be continued four or five moneths, sowing Anise at several times, for it is the floure one∣ly of it, which the Bees suck on. Yea, and though sown at once, yet of Anise, Fennel, and the like, the nature is not as Apples, to floure at a peculiar time, for as much as at one time a man shall sind both the floure tender, and the seed neer to its full growth, so that this hearb will afford a durable supply to the painful Bee, the seed it self being also a very good commodity.

But yet there is another way by which Bees may be stored most plentifully, and that is by Molossoes of Sugar, Raisins, Ma∣carates, with water, and the like. There was a Gentleman, who having a late Swarm of Bees giv••n him, which was so 〈…〉〈…〉 could not be thought possible for to live out the Wi••ter, did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my ••i∣rection make a mixture of a pint of Molossoes with three parts of Rain-water, to which he put in a little meal, and sprinkled in•••• some few floures: The mixture being set neer unto the Bees, they flockt to it, and carried it into their Hives, and so would in lesse than a day empty a shallow broad dish, By which meanes they, before full three weeks were out, were so over glutted with Hon••y, that by the next Spring they were drowned with it, and in that Hive was found no lesse than thirty pound weight of the Honey and Wax.

The Molossoes was not that which the Sugar-refiners leave, for I know not what an enemy the lime Alcali that is in it may be to Bees, but the first Molossoes. Now I should for my part rather rake the refuse Honey which is got by squeezing the Combes, and also the Combes washings, which I would sprinkle with a little meal and Anise seeds small beaten, the one to keep them from drowning in it, the other for scent, and this, I am assured, will feed Bees excellently, and for one pound they will return four: This I know; The water best for this purpose is that of Rain, which hath in it a sweet Salt. And that no man may wonder at this, consider how that Honey originally is but dew, which is but little different from Rain: For as a milch Cow drinking soundly of water, doth actually give the more Milk, which Milk is farre different from water, yet multiplied by it even to sense, so naturally doth the Bee transmute what it sucks into Honey, insom••ch that if the Bee be but allured with the fragancie of the scent, and never so small taste of sweetnesse to suck up material water, yet that it will as well make into Honey, as if it were a substance thicker of consistence.

And as for the Wax, of which the Combes is made, I cannot perswade my self that it is the Gum of the stalkes of flou••es and tender leaves (in a Microscope to be discerned) which the Bee gathering together, doth of it make Combes: For it is evident, that Bees doe suck out o•• severall things, nay, almost out of innume∣rable Simples of all whi••h they make (as but one Honey) so but one Wax. In Russia and M••s••o••y (I am informed, that) the Bees gather out of the weepings of Pine, Firre, Spruce and Deal Trees (which are onely Therebinth) abundance, both of Honey and Wax, which yet is the same in kind with ours in England, whence I conclude, that Bees doe make (as their Honey, so) their Wax, out of that which before was not Wax, otherwise it would be a very Heterogeneal body; since the weeping Gum of each thing is variated, and followeth the property of that Vegetable to which it belongs. Besides, there is a vast difference between Gummes (of which some are wholly liquable in Water, others partly) and Wax, as also betwixt it and Rosin of any sort, likewise its peculiar Specifick Odour is not common to any other thing with it self.

No marvel then, if Bees may be sed with their own Honey, mixed with three times its quantity of rain water, and out of it they should again make Wax and new Honey, since like to this is a Cows ma∣king out of simple water blood, milk, and urine, of which blood and milk come but little (if ought) short of the proportionate ••o••dus of Honey.

Nor is the smalnesse of the Creature to be accused as if in con∣sistent for so great a task, since God hath made each thing suffi∣cient to its destinated end; yea, and the same Creature with a contemptible stroke of its revenging sting (which is not much thicker than one of the pores of the Cutis is wide) can swell and inflame our Body so beyond its own dimensions, that a prick in the face (to my knowledge) hath made one to be for more than a day blind, his eyes being swell'd up, and his face twice as big as before.

Now to resume, what in the beginning I touched, of the ex∣cellencie of Honey, it is good to eat, both pleasant and whol∣some, in Chirurgery and Medicine of excellent force, and inrich∣ed with a rare Quintessence. But besides, by help of it and grain, may be made most excellent Wine, nothing i••feriour to the rich••st Ca∣nary or Greek wines, and by the mixture of it with the Iuyce of fruits, the best Fr••nch or Rhenish Wines may be paralell'd, if not surpass••d. Nor will any of the Specifick Odour, either of the H••ney, or of the Corn, after a threefold fermentation remain. It also will yeild a most excellent Aqua vitae, yea it will help such things, which (by reason of their too much propensity to souring, and slownesse to a working fermentation) would yeild spirits but sparingly, to ferment exceedingly, and so to yeeld their spirit copiously, as, to wit, many Berries, Roots: &c. It also will by its addition make as excellent Vinegar out of Cider, as any France yeilds, without excepti∣on. Lastly, any Wine which is neer pricking may by its h••lp be re∣covered, brought to a new fermentation, inriched with a new Body, which before, being almost worn out, was hungry and l••an, and so made as Rasie, pleasant and durable as ever, provided it be not al∣ready sour. If these qualities be not sufficient to commend it, I shall add no more.

Thus Sir, I have briefly, and yet in a large Epistolical discourse, endeavoured to satisfie you what I can, as to this Subject. I con∣fesse

my self to have been not very free in this thing, not for that I would not be ready in a greater matter to be serviceable to you and the Publick for good; but truly, I am one of those, who are farre more willing to learn than to ••ssay to teach: The World is now full of Books, of which if a good choice were made, one tenth part of the chief being cull'd out, I should willingly passe my suffrage, that the other nine patts should be corrected by the fire, among which this Epistle of mine should, by my vote, passe for company. For verily Sir, sithence nothing is to a man more pretions than time, it is requisite, that those things which con∣sume that most precious and irrecovocable Jewel (when once lost) should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; yet I doe assure you, these things (though perhaps comparatively, many of them but trivial) I speak not opini••bly, but what I know, and that experimentally; yet must I confesse, that the Subject, lying not altogether in the Sphere of my most serious Contemplations, perhaps hath not been handled as it might have been, by another more conver∣sant therein, since mellification, respects the work and labour of this Insect, not its Physical virtues; I then, whose chief station is among natural things, to examine their Analytical Phyloso∣phy, and to discover their Qualities, as applicable to the Art of Medicine, together with their parts in Composition, their gra∣duations in vertue, their Extraction of the Craseis in them con∣tained, their various transmutations, alterities and applications. This, I say, being my 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and other speculations (among which this of Bees, most applicable to a rural life, from which my profession is in a manner alienated) coming in but as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, serving for recreation and pleasure, no marvel if sleightnesse in its handling by me should be found; Yet as it is I hope you will accept it, as proceeding from a mind devoted to serve you; I wish therefore, that it were more worthy your acceptance; yet as it is I humbly offer it to you, as an acknowledgement of what I desire to perform, and an Earnest of what I may hereafter, and that shortly, send forth after this, in case these my first fruits be acceptable.

There are herein couched many hints of divers useful Expe∣riments, which are not altogether ungroundedly intruded into this Epistle, as having dependance some way or other on the

proposed Subject, which I inserted the rather, that by such touches, which concern things within my own Sphere, I might qualifie the sleight texture which is spun concerning the pro∣pounded theme, which is, as I said, an enquiry rather of my spare houres for recreation, then any part of my task. I pray a••cept what ever it is, as coming from him, who would have bestow it as freely, if of farre greater value: I shall now no further trouble you, but pray the Lord, who is the fountain of all blessing, so to order all your wayes and endeavours, that they may be a bles∣sing to all those, to whom you devote your self, to serve by all your pious publique atchievements; this is, and shall be the Prayer of him, who is most affectionately

Your unfeigned Servan••

G. S.

An Enlargement of the sore-going Philosophicall Letter, explain∣ing more fully divers of those desirable Passages for general Riches and Prosits: With the Reasons why no more is disco∣vered at this time.

I Received yours of Admonitory Annotations from my last Letter touching Bees, in which my scope and intent being to speak concerning Mellification, in reference to yours sent to me, concerning the use of Anise in the keeping of Bees; many other things fell in accidentally, in which if I were the more brief, it is the more venial, since it was not directly, but onely collaterally agreeing with the propounded scope of that Di∣scourse. I shal•• therefore, having perused those Annotations, return you a larger account of the things therein contained, which I hope will be sufficiently satisfactory to any ingenious Spirit.

The first Answer (so it is called) doth seem to desire in that Epistle an open candidness, and a candid openness: in that I conceive I was not onely open, but also plain, and I doe not know what I should have added, as to the matter proposed, and not have exceeded the bounds of an Epistle, and therefore I

really intended what I said, and did conceive my apertnesse a candid Testimony o•• my intentions.

Now as to the second Answer, to my confident Assertion of the fec••b••l••ty of Aqua vitae out of grain unmalted, &c. and the producing of Wine out of fruit and also grain, equal to Spanish and French Wines, by the meanes of Honey, I conceive, that what was written is sufficiently full and plain. For to write a Receipt is a thing both ••••••••••sh, and not so convenient.

For first, a man who doth try many Experiments, doth not observe so nicely all the Circumstances, as if he were to improve the same for profit, onely takes notice what is the effect of his Experiments in general. Now it is certa••n, that the quantity of matter, and the quality of operation on the matter, may differ but little as to ap••arency, and yet work a plain distinct effect. Besides there is not any one Mechanick, which hath its Basis on Phyloso••hy, in which there are not many errors, into which an Artist, that hath been long versed in the Practique, may hap to fall, and he may thank gray-headed Experience for teaching him to amend his errors, and for some casu•••• disasters no remedy yet hath be••n ••ound, either totally and infall••bly to p••event, or to amend the same, as i•• Malting, Brewing, Tanning. Sope-boyl∣ing, &c. which •• might instance in, is need required, and time would permit.

So then, though I know that out of such Materials such a pro∣duct ma•• be, yet I knew withall, that my sel•• have in my Expe∣riments o•••• b••en frustrated, even in those things which before I had done, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could not on so few trials know to what cause direc••ly to asc••••be.

Now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things b••••me found by casualty, I can hardly hit the same thing ••gai••, ••••en •• assay it (d••••industria) without some∣times various errors, it would be not an edifying, but rather a stumbling cou••se, to la•• down a Receipt, and in so many words to relate my own Enchei••••a in its particularities, would be te∣dious, and not so us••ful, for I know, that he who tries many fortuitous Experiments, not to seek for any pa••ticular thing, be∣fore proposed to himself, but rather to see what will proceed from such and such things so ordered, it is to be conceived, that what he attaines to is by the farthest way about, which to him, in

those accidental trials, proves the nearest way home.

But if this were to be further proved upon the account of profit, another course must be taken, of doing in greater quantity, and the easiest and shortest Method is desired. Therefore I, like a Traveller, did intend onely a relation of things fecible, which I have my self again proved, and on my reputation affirm, both possibly and easie in nature; and this I did to shew the Good which might accrew to the Publique by the prosecution of your Design, both in storing the Land with Corn, Fruits and Honey. I added the Meanes or Key, both for the one and other, namely, by reiterated fermentation, and so writing, I wrote to such, who in some measure understood Phylosophy, who weighing the effect with its causes, might not streight condemn my Candour, in case he for once or twice should prove unsuc∣cessful, whereas a Receipt is every mans meat, and to such who lesse understand Nature, what Receipt can be full enough. For he who writes, measures other mens understanding partly by his own, and what he understands fully and scientifically, he pre∣supposeth another will understand sufficiently, and therefore leaves out many Circumstances which are not so necessary, or may be otherwise, or such which he presupposes (praecognita) or what a small insight into practique Phylosophy may dictate. My meaning is, that in as much as those Experiments were not so reiterated, as a Tanners making his liquor, I could not pos∣sibly throw the Receipts into the mouth of every one that could but gape. For what I try in a gallon, if I should prescribe in that quantity, my Receipt would be contemptible, if I should analogize by proportion, my Doctrine might be uncertain, in the particular which is most certain in the general. My Work is to hint to the Ingenuous what may be done, and let it be suffi∣cient that (fide bona) I deliver what is really true in Nature, and adde the onely Meanes, which is by reiterate fermentation. But yet to adde what light I can to him, who would attempt this, I shall, so farre as in me is, discover things more punctually

First as to Aqua vitae, let Pease be taken and steeped in as much water as will cover them, till they swell and Corn, and be so ordered as Barley is for the Malting, onely with this diffe∣rence, that for this work if they sprout twice as much as Barley

doth in making Malt it is the better: these Pease thus sprouted if beaten small, which is easily done they being so tender, put into a vessel, and stopt with a Bung and a R••g as usually, these will ferment, and after two, or three, or four moneths, if distilled, will really perform what I promised.

The Water that soaked them, it is good to save, either for the soaking of fresh, or for putting on them, being beaten, which else require some quantity of water to be added to them, but not much, and the like may be done in all other Grain, which the addition of refuse Honey will advance (as to quantity of Spirit) exceedingly. Thus may a Spirit of Aqua vitae be made out of any green growing thing, of which the leaves being fer∣mented, will yeild a small quantity of such a Spirit. So Roots, Berries and Seeds, which are not oyly, yea and those which are oyly, whose fatnesse is essential, that is, which may be distilled over in an Alembick with water, will afford some more, some lesse of Aqua vitae. Let me adde, that the Spirit which is made out of Grain not dryed into Malt, is more pleasant than the other.

Now give me leave to adde my opinion, and what I would try further in this case. I would often stir the matter in fer∣mentation, that is, once a day, during the first twenty dayes, and for the first week, when it begins to work, give it a small vent, which to me seemes a wa•• of bettering the fermentation, and by consequent of augmenting and meliorating the Spirit. But in this I leave every man to his own ••ngeny, and should be glad to have these my Experiments ripened for the good of many.

Now as to Vinification, let me for a ground lay this down for a Position, that the vegetable Spirit in all Hearbs, Trees, Plants, and Fruits, Berries, and also Seeds, (not of a grosse oyly nature) is vinous, but in Grain and fruit more especially of the later, of which the Grape is but one Species. Now in both, the Rule to distinguish the copiousnesse of this vertue is the sweet∣nesse; for by how much the more of that, by so much the more of the Vinous Spirit.

Now Honey is a Vegetable Magistery, in part perfected by the Specifick virtue of the flour, &c. on which the dew falling, is made sweeter than of it self it was, (yet formally distinguished

from Honey, which I have oft proved by disti••l••tion) but is compleated by the peerlesse virtue of the Bee, which doth trans∣mute that sweetnesse into a new Creature, which is Honey. This therefore, by reason of its eminent sweetnesse, is rich of that vinous Spirit fore-mentioned, and may therefore be preferred to either Grain or Fruit; for example; Let the tryall be made with about a gallon of Honey, despume it, and adde to it about an equall part of Water, or three parts of Water to two of Ho∣ney•• ferment it with a treble fermentation; and after six moneths this will be farre richer, both in tast and smell, than any Wine that comes from any of the Spanish Territories, and that by farre. But as the price of good Honey goes now, to have a quart of Wine in its materials to cost a shilling or sixteen pence, which is the price of good Honey, would be a dear rate; by which it may appear, what the benefit of your present Design of inriching us with store of Honey may be; for I say, what I have tried, that Wine made of Honey alone without any other thing, thrice fermented as it ought to be, gives a drink more like a celestial Nectar then a Terrestrial Wine, both for Taste and Odour.

But Graines gives a more Austere Wine, and alone much re∣sembled a fyall Wine, which is done thus. Take as much Malt as a Cask will hold fill it with scalding hot water, that the water be no more than the Cask will hold after it is full of Malt; let it soak so for a day and night, then presse it out exquisitely, as Wines are pressed, then put it into a vessel, and with Yest bring it to work, which by every day moving with a rod, and covering it with cloths, and not giving it much vent, will be continued at least six or seven dayes, so much the better if the vessel be so big beyond what it containes, as that it work not over, and the vent that is left be small•• but the bung so closed, as that it may be opened and shut daily for to stir the matter soundly, and when the ferment is ceased, with new Yest bring it to a second, and so to a third fermentation, observing the same method as in the first, then close it well, and set it in a cool Cellar for about four moneths, in which time it acquires the natural properties of Wine, and may be accordingly handled.

Now by this that hath so plainly been set down, any ingeni∣ous

man may, by the addition of Honey in a various propor∣tion, make what distinction of Wine he pleaseth, and the same with the juyce of Fruits, with this di••••erence, that Fruits doe yeild a Wine neerer to Rhenish and French then to Spanish Wines.

Now as to the Spider which I mentioned, I was not then so principled in P••ylosophy, when I lived in those Islands, as to observe every observeable thing, but since have hea••d of a Maid, who of that Silk hath (for tryal sake) spun and knit a pair of gloves, which prove no whit inferior or lesse durable than the best Silk, whether then they may be transported hither or no, I know not, but if not, yet in the P••antation, where they are na∣turally (being under this Government) I presume they might with ingenuity be made p••ofi••able; first, since they multiply so abundantly: Secondly, live in the open fields, not annoyed with weather: Thirdly, give Silk so copiously, for out of one large Spider, in a day, one may draw at the least two drachins of Silk, if they have an intire Web they s••end little after it is made, but if fed fat, they may be taken in ones hand, without danger to ones self, or dammage to the Creature, and one may out of its body wind a good ball of yellow Silk daily, which being washed is white enough. Fourthly, they will feed on Flies, or any blood of beast cloddered exceedingly, and all their nourishment may be forced out in Silk, which they as naturally make in their tail (which is a great bag, like a Pigeons Egge in bignesse) as Bees doe Honey.

Now if the Silk-worm that is so tender, may be so improved, being so hard to feed, and must be kept in houses, much more these Spiders, which are so hardy; and will feed on any trumpery (and who knowes what they may ••e brought to eat, I my self have fed them with pieces of Figs) may, in my opinion, be brought to singular profit, which•• if kept in an open wicker Cage in the open air, may be fed at pleasure, and robbed of their Silk at least every day, and that not a small quantity at a time. I perswade my self, that one large Spider of this sort, would yeild more Silk in a Summer than six Silk-wormes, and that may ren∣der them worth the keeping, their Silk being full as good as any. Yet they may doe as well here as the Silk-worm, for ought I

know, being by ten fold more hardy than any Silk-worm, and Flies are a sufficient food for them, which how easily taken I need not mention.

As to the India Fig, the usuall name of it is the Prickled Pear, so known in that place, and as to the transportation of it hither, here to grow, it is enough it growes there, being an Eng∣lish Plantation, or the fruit it self may, without the tree, be year∣ly brought over at rates reasonable enough, if first any ingeni∣ous man (whom it may concern) should, for trial sake, send for a small parcel, and upon tryal find it advantageous. I for my part procured of the fruit for my Experiment, and found the generation of that Infect out of it, which way I recommend to any that desires further resolution in that Point.

Now as to the Generation of ••nsects, I shall give my usuall Encheiria, though I need not, having particularly set down the same work, how it is performed out of the blood and livers of beasts, which were enough to any, who by the length of Hercules foot, could calculate the proportion of his whole body.

Vegetables of tincture are either Hearbs, Woods, or Fruits, as Berries, &c. as for Hearbs, I dry them (•••• dry they yeild the best tincture) otherwise stamp them, and let them dry, till they will suffer no juyce to run from them, (this in the Sun or in a proportionable heat) or if dryed, I infuse them with water in a heat about twenty four houres, then vapour away the water, till the dissolution be as thick a•• sirrup (but for this use strain them not from the feces) this masse I take and put it into an earthen or wooden Vessel, with some straw or something, and bottom (that it lie not too close) and so I proportion the quantity to the pot, that the air may come about, and into the masse, (yet not too much) then I set this Vessel in a ditch or pit made in the earth in a shady place, and put about it some wet leaves, or such putri∣fying rubbish, and over it a board, and on that some straw or the like, and so it produces, first a shelly husky Worm, and then a Fly of the tincture of the Concrete, but durable, and somewhat more advanced.

Berries I stamp and boyle them, or evaporate them to the consistence of a Rob: and then use them as the other.

Woods I infuse in water, being pulverised, and boyle out their

tincture, and then evaporate the water to such a consistence as the other, and use them in the like way. The Flies will play about the sides of the vessel and surface of the matter, which taken, are killed in a warm pan or stove, and dryed, and so kept.

Thus out of a red Berry, of which I spake in my former Let∣ter, I made an Insect no whit inferiour to the best Cochmeel, and I suppose I have added sufficient to the Information of the weakest capacity.

As for my History of one who did so feed Bees, as I spake of in my first Letter, the Gentleman is at present both out of Lon∣don, England, and this Life, being lately dead.

Now what concernes the Doctrine of Fermentations, on which depends the unfolding of the Mystery of Mellification, and making Wax, I have reserved that for another place and time, since being prolixe and Phylosophical, it doth require a peculiar Treatise, and I falling on it here, found it too abstruse to be briefly handled, lest brief Instances, which I should be forced to bring, should beget a thousand scruples and new que∣stions. As for the practique of it, this dilemma answers all: Either it will, or it will not; if it will, then farre more Bees may be kept, if out of (Not Honey) they make Honey, and out of (Not Wax) they make Wax, by an actual transmutation, which I experimentally affirm: if not, then fewer can be kept, if they must seek their Wax out of the Gummosity of some floures, as some fondly imagine, since Wax formally differs from any fat∣ness under Heaven. One half houres attendance in a day on a late Swarm of Bees in Iuly or August, will put all out of questi∣on to any other that shall try it, as it hath been experimentally put out of controversie to me. But to lay down the Phyloso∣phy of the thing will maime a large Treatise, which I have in Latine composed (de fermentis) which I shall be unwilling to dismember, and send part of it out lamely in an English dresse.

Lastly, as to the meeting of Wines, it is done the same way as new are made. viz by dissolving Honey in some quantity of it self, and warming it so as it lose not the Spirit (which is to be therefore done in a close Vessel) then put to the Vessel of Wine, and by Yest (or otherwise) let it be brought to a thorough

working (as at its first making) s••••t recovers both life, taste, body and goodnesse, and may then be preserved as if it never had inclined to p••cking.

Sir, •• hope this will be a full illustration of my former Letter, so as that no man shall be able to ••••s••re greater candidnesse. I commit you, in these your pious En••••••vours of the Publique good, to his protection•• who will undoubtedly at present blesse you in this your Enterprise, and hereafter requite the ungrate∣fulnesse of men to you, on this account, with a ple••teous re∣ward.

I am, Sir, your most affectionately devoted to serve you

G. S.

A very cheap way to keep a Stock of Bees all Winterlong.

TOstes of bread sopped in strong Ale, and put into a Bee∣hive, is very good and cheap food for Bees, of which they will not leave one crum remaining.

It will be fit sometime to lay some dry Meal or flo••er of beane••, which dry Meal is given them sometimes as ••ey or Corn is to Conies, or upland pasture to Sheep in times of great rain, to prevent the rott, and such diseases, as will necessarily follow from continual moist food.

By this meanes you may feed a whole Hive of Bees for eigh∣teen pence or two shillings all the Winterlong.

Q. Whether any other Flower or Meal will not serve? And whether it would not be the sweeter, and therefore the better, if the Corn (whether Beanes or any other) were well maulted?

Another notable and approved Experiment for improving of Bees.

TAke an handful of Melissa (that is an hearb which we com∣monly call Baume.)

One drachm of Camphire.

Half a drachm of Musk dissolved in Rose-water.

As much yellow Bees-wax as is sufficient.

Oil of Roses as much.

Stamp the Baume and the Camphire very well, and put them into the Waz, melted with the Oyle of Roses, and so make it up into a masse; let it cool before you put in the Musk, for other∣wise the heat will fume away most of the scent of it.

Take of this masse as much as an haselnut, and cleave it with∣in your Bee-hive. It will much increase the number of your Bees, not onely by provoking them to multiplication, but also by enticing many strange Bees to come thither, and abide there. You shall also find, both in Honey and Wax, three times more profit than otherwise you should have had.

A Coppy of a Letter, written by Mr. William Mewe Mini∣ster at Easlington in Glocester-shire, to Mr. Nathaniel Angelo Fellow of Eaton Colledge.

SIR,

BEing made known to you, I could wish it had been by a better Character than a Bee-Master. Tis true, since I left the hot service of the City, I have an Apiary in the Country, wherein I found profit enough: But I considered, that Wax and Honey was not all the benefit which God afforded from that Creature; he that sends us to the Ant, gives us leave to observe the same and better qualities in the Bee; I observed many rarities in their work and government, by mine own ex∣perience upon Buttlers Observations: But when he told me of a Gentleman, in Plinies time, that endeavoured to make their works transparent (but, as he thought, improbable) I tryed, and finished that Essay, to the satisfaction of my self and others.

The Invention is a fancie that suits with the nature of that Creature, they are much taken with their Grandeiur, and double their tasks with delight; I took fourteen quarts out of one of the transparent Hives, double their quantity of others, they quickly paid me the charges, with their profit, and doubled it with pleasure; I can take a strict account of their work, and thereby guesse how the rest prosper. Every time I view them (whilst their work lasts) I have aliquid novi (something new)

which must needs be more pleasing than the sight of a Foun∣tain, which affords but water, running in the same manner. This Honey diversly placed with diversity of Combs, whereof I have observed six fill'd in six dayes, of so many quarts, but it was in the time of a Mill-dew.

If you desire the Model or Description, I shall give the same to you that I did to Dr. Wilkins, Warden of Waddham, who hath, with great curiosity, set up one in his Garden, and, as I hear, is setting up another with augmentations: I intended it at first for an Hyerogliphick of labour, upon which a Gentleman be∣stowed a Statue of that form to crown it, which in three yeares standing yeilded to the injuries of the Wind, Weather and Sun, which being repaird now leaves at the bottom of the Pedestal, with this Inscription, Non amissus sed submissus (the Emblem of our Calling) instead thereof are erected at the top three Try∣gonal Dyals, over them three Weather-Glasses, with a Clepsy∣dra to shew the hour when the Sun shines not, over that a Cock, that will speak the Winds seat at Mid-night, upon which is be∣stowed a Saphigue to satisfie the Latine or English Reader, thus;

Has Apes Dury Labor hic Coronans Occidit, Sole, & B••rea Maligno Quos Vigil Gallus Capit & superstes, Clepsidra Monstrat.

Labour held this, till storm'd (alas) By Weather, Wind, and Sun he was; All which are wacht, as here they passe, By Diall, Weather-Cock and Glasse.

Thus farre have I denied my self to gratifie your friendship, which I hope will give the grains of allowance, and conceal∣ment to a suddain paper, which I could not deny to the Bearer of a Letter from you; but if you please to take a sheet and nap∣kin with me for some time, we shall discourse of this, and better Matters.

Mr. Hartlib is a Gentleman, whom I know not, but by your worthy Report, I never saw his Works, but shall get them as soon as I can, if in the mean time he shall visit me in person, or by letter, with Questions within my sphere, I am a Flint that give fire at the first stroke; I like them well that veiw Magnalia Dei in Minimis, if every man of my ability, through the Land, cherished so many Hives as I doe, it would be in our Common∣wealths way 300000 per annum, which is lost by negligence or ignorance of the use of that Creature. When I see you, I shall offer more to your consideration than is fitting to be written; the Lord furnish you and me with ability, and fidelity, in our Calling, For 'tis no great honour (saith Plutarch) to be excellent out of that.

Easlington this 19th of September. 1653.

True Friend, Your Faithful Servant,

WILL. MEVVE.

A Coppy Mr. Hartlib's Letter to that worthy Minister, at Easlington, Mr. Will. Mewe.

SIR,

I Am willing to confesse my fault (if it be a fault) that my worthy Friend Mr. Angelo took notice of you, as an excel∣lent Bee-Master: for knowing you by your other better Cha∣racters, which are so publique, that none can be ignorant there∣of, who hath heard of your name, I gave him notice of your rare industry (a thing not so publiquely known as it deserves) in discovering the industriousnesse of that pretty Creature, and my design was to get him to write to you, so as to make some overture for me, to use freedome afterwards with you about that Subject, which he having done, and you having entertained with so much alacrity, and hearty expressions, I am bound to thank you for it, and desirous to expresse my thankfulnesse with such Communications, as are within the sphere of my activity of this kind, or of any other better matters of a publique nature;

and in testimony hereof, be pleased to accept of the adjoyned Packet with several Treatises and Books, wherein also you will happily find something, which may give occasion to your inge∣nious spirit, to try some other Conclusions of Husbandry with delight and profit: For God's Way's to such as find them out are full of both; and I am apt to believe, that when God set Adam in the Garden Eden to keep it and dresse it, He meant to exercise his Industry, as well about the discovery of the fruitful∣nesse of perfect nature, which could not be without much de∣light to his understanding, as about the pleasantnesse of the place, which he could have by dressing increased, and made com∣pleatly answerable to the perfection of his own imagination. For although there was nothing imperfect in Nature before the Curse, yet all the imaginable perfections, which the seminal pro∣perties of the Earth contained, were not actually existent at the first instant; the kinds were each distinct by themselves, with∣out any defect, but what Marriages and Combinations there might be made between them, and what the effects thereof would be, when the proper Agents and Patients should meet, I suppose was left to his industry to try: and although we now come farre short of that knowledge, which he had in Nature, and the Womb, thereof, by reason of that Curse is shut up unto us: Yet we find by Experience, that to such as are her faithful and laborious Servants, and find out the Seat of Gods Vertue in her, to trace the Way of his Operation, She rewards alwayes their paines both with profit and pleasure, which in your Answer to my fore-named worthy Friend you bear witnesse unto, when you tell him, that in your Apiary in the Country, you not onely found profit enough (and what you mean by enough is left to our conjecture) but that besides the benefit of Wax and Honey, you gained more delightful Observations of their Working, and Government, then happily the Ant can afford us; which be∣cause I doe very fully believe, therefore I am an humble Sutor unto you, that at some spare time you would renew to your own memory your delightful contemplation of the rare qualities of that Creature, and putting them to paper, shew forth the Wisdome of the Creator therein, for such things should not be concealed, because they are reall Demonstrations of his Power,

and I am perswaded, you will take it in good part, that such as love Him for Himself are curious to know the Workmanship o•• his hands, and the Wayes by which the best discovery thereof is made.

If then upon this account you would let some of your sparkes flie abroad amongst us, you may perhaps kindle some light more than we have, which in due time may reflect with some heat upon your self back again. For you tell us, that Dr. Wil∣kins, Warden of Wadham, is setting up a Glasse-Hive in his Garden, with augmentations to that Model which he received from you, which no doubt he is obliged to impart unto you, as to the Father of the Invention; and if I may be so happy, as to be your Schollar, both in that which is your own, and what is super-added by him, perhaps my Friends and I will not be alto∣gether unfruitful, at least we shall not be unmindful of you, but give some return of what our Experiments may produce. But to doe this we must be set in the way by you; therefore give me leave to beg a full Description of your transparent Hive, in the Parts and Dimensions thereof, and if you have any to spare (now the season is past) and would send one up by the Carrier which comes from your parts, I shall undertake to see it sent back again unto you without your cost. If you have many Glasse-Hives, you will be the better able to gratifie me herein, but if you have none to spare, I shall rest satisfied with that, which you shall be pleased to afford me with your convenience.

The Reason wherefore in the Glasse-Hives the Bees should double their Work, and delight in their Grandeiur, I conceive, by what you write, is discernable, but as yet I cannot reach it, till by your Experience and Sagacity the hint be given me, that I may in due time by my self, or some Friends, make also a tryall thereof.

But have you yet been able to make any estimate of the quan∣tity of Wax and Honey, which they are able to give one year with another, seeing you speak a very big word of 300000 lt. a year, which might accrew to the Nation from this little Crea∣ture? I make no doubt, but you are able to make thi, out, al∣though it doth, I confesse, goe beyond my reach, and to raise the Industrie which may be used towards the Common-wealth

of Bees in this Nation, it would be a thing worth your publique disposition to give a Demonstration thereof; for I suppose it will be grounded more upon the plenty, which your new Inven∣tion doth yeild, then upon the ordinary way.

But happily your Experience to something also extraordi∣nary concerning the feeding as well as the Hiving of that in∣dustrious Creature, will give some further addition. For no doubt there are certain Hearbs which make them thrive better than others, of all which, if at your convenient time you will be as good as you•• ••ord, a good Flint to give fire at the first stroke, you will give some of us cause here to rejoyce in your light, and I dare promise by the grace of God, your sparkes will not fall in vain, but will find good tinder, at which many candles may be lighted in due time.

You see how large and free I am, but your Ingenuity hath provoked me, and I aime at nothing, but what may be an ad∣vantage to the Publique, and a matter of credit and due respect to be yeilded to your self, by,

From my house neer Charing Crosse o∣ver against Angel-Court, the 17. No∣vember, 1653.

SIR, Your ever faithfull, and most willing Friend to serve you,

SAMUELL HARTLIB.

An Extract of Mr. Mewe's Answer to Mr. Hartlib's Letter.

Worthy Sir,

THe knocks and calls of two such unknown Friends, as your self and Mr. Angelo, coming with such choyce Books, and so much candor, exprest in too many, and two friendly Letters, were enough to make the sourest Hermite look out of his Cell, espe∣cially if he spies the coasts clear without Swords and Pistols. The truth is, I am but one of many my fellow Shepherds, that have taken Sanctuary in our Cotts, ever since the Alarme was

given us by the Anti-Pastoral Party, and being likely to be stript to the Bag and Bottle, you cannot blame us, if we whistle away some of our sad and spare houres (whilst Shepherds are smitten, and Sheep scatter'd) to observe Magnalia Dei in Minimis. Melancholy loosers will rather play at small games than give over.

When I saw God make good his Threat (Solvam Cingulae Regum) and break the Reines of Government, I observed, that this pretty Bird (whereof you write) was true to that Govern∣ment, wherein God and Nature had set it to serve. Hereupon my pleasure began to vie with my profit, and I was willing, for once, to yeild the stakes to my pleasure.

Briefly Sir, being sent for up amongst others of my Professi∣on, to serve the State, I left a Model of this innocent Phancie in past-board, which at my return (by the care of my vertuous Wife, now with God) I found set up in the midst of my Garden in plain Free-stone; In this I placed an upper and lower Hive, over them a Trygonal Dial, over that three Weather Glasses, over that a Water-watch topt with a Weather-cock: This pla∣ced in the stead of the Statue of labour, which the Wind and Weather had brought from top to bottom, so that it was obvi∣ous to my Phantasie, to conceit this to be the Hyerogliphick of their Hyerarchy, whose labour was lost in their Grandeiur, and brought to that low price, that any of their meanest quality might come up to it, and be taken at his word, though he bid never so meanly.

I considered, that God gives us leave to make the most and best we can of those Relicks of his goodness, whereof we have baffled away the better part; as those Travellers, that have be∣nighted themselves by their frolick baitings, make much of their diversified reflections of the Sun set in the Clouds, and when they have almost lost his light, make pass-time with his co∣lours.

This will excuse me (in case I fall short of that profit which you suspect I make) that I begin and stand so long upon the pleasure, and shall now take leave to surfet you with my Honey∣sops, before ••light you out with my Wax-tapers, and then as you like this, you may call again at my Hermitage.

Now what concernes the profit, you tell me of a big word I should let fall, of 300000 lib. per annum, which our Nation might make of them, if all of my ability would undertake to keep as many as my self; one cipher mistaken may much alter the sum; but grant it so as you have set it, cast it thus, I never kept twenty Stalls, and usually take but half, yet doe I value my Wax and Honey worth twenty Nobles at the least; Now if he that is valued but as the tenth part of a Parish, at most, can make so much, what may the rest? what may the County? what the Nation?

Whereas you say, a place may be over stockt (granting Mill∣dewes) I deny it. Had we an hundred Hives for one, where there are store of Oakes and Maples, the place cannot be over stor'd with Bees. So that if there were a Statute for Parish Bees, as well as Parish Butts, and Parochial Appiaries design'd for those places, where observed best to thrive, I know not why a Parish may not make as much Honey (as one Gentleman of Norfolk) viz. 300 li. de claro, as I heard per annum.

As for your design of feeding them (as that Gentleman in Italy) I conceive it here unfeaseable, or if it were it would not quit cost; I care not to feed them, except to save them in spring time, and strengthen them for work: Hearbs and Floures are but from hand to mouth, serve for Bee-bread: If Mill-dewes fall not, Bees thrive not, for they are, with Gods blessing, the Antidote to that Curse: As for your honest pity to that poor Creature (I shall try a Conclusion this Summer which may save some few Stalls, but in saving (poor Stalls) we dammage them, and (in saving the rich) our selves; the middle sort are best for store, and enough for those that are not covetous, with whom they seldom thrive, because they over act their part in sparing, as carelesse persons in their neglect of keeping them. I can and shall afford you what satisfaction you please, in any useful questi∣on, that concernes the welfare of their Common-wealth.

As for my transparent Hives, I have but two, which are not moveable, else you should willingly have them, whither you re∣turn'd them or not; they serve onely to give me an account of the daily income, and a diary of their Negotiations, whereby if I spend half an hour after dinner or supper, I know what hath

been done that day; can shew my Friends the Queens Cells, and sometimes her person, with her Retinue; she afforded me 14. quarts, or neer upon, in one year, and if the rest afford ten a piece I think it a fair gain: there is not an Hive to be seen about my house, nor a child stung in a year: My Appiary consists of a row of little houses, two stories high, two foot apart, which I find as cheap at seven yeares end as straw hacles, and far more handsome: (where I have bay windowes I have a set of unseen Stalls) whose room is handcomly spar'd, and their company very harmonious, especially for those that ••edge in their Cham∣bers, whether they would wake or sleep, in so much as I have heard some say (that have there lodged) they would give twenty pound to have and here the like at home; the pleasure takes some, the profit others. But if either take off (and not take up) our hearts in minding the main, you and I may spare any farther enquiry about them.

Thus have I stept out of my way, to gratifie you in the ex∣change of Ink and Paper, and shall be ready so to doe in things of weightier concernment than B Bs. if you shall give the stroke, 'tis hard if my flint yeild not some sparks: all your Subjects are marvellously well pleasing to me, but above all, your most In∣genious and Publique Spirit makes me love and honour you; onely I fear your sweetnesse may be abus'd by some undertakers, that are apt to promise much upon the score of hopes and fan∣cies.

But you will say, I have done enough for once to weary you, and if I find I have, I shall doe so no more, but rest,

Easlington in Glo∣cester-shire 20th of December, 1653.

Sir, your endeared Friend, to serve you,

WILL MEVVE.

A Letter, concerning that pleasant and profitable Invention of a Transparent Bee-hive, written by that much accomplish'd, and very ingenious Gentleman, Fellow of All-Soules Colledge in Ox∣ford, Mr. Christ. Wren, with the Figure and Description of the said Transparent Bee-hive.

HONOURED SIR,

YOu have by several hands intimated your Desires to me, of having a particular Description of our three-storied-Bee-hive. I confesse I was not over forward to execute this com∣mand of yours; and my reason was, because the Devise not fully answering our own expectation, I thought it would be much more unsatisfactory to you: but since you please to persist in your desires, (as Mr. Rawlinson told me the other day) I can be no longer shameless to persist in my incivility, especially prompted by mine own Ambition, to find any way to shew my self a Servant to a Person so eminent amongst the Ingeniosi as your self.

The Description, I think, is evident enough in the Paper; I shall onely tell you what effects we find. Last May (as I re∣member) we put in two Swarmes together, leaving the places to goe in, open onely in the lowermost, but all the passage holes o∣pen from Box to Box: in the middlemost they first began their Combes, then in the lowermost, before they had filled the mid∣dlemost, and so continued till they had filled both, which before they had quite finished, they began to make two little Combes in the upper Box, (all this while deserted) and continued be∣sides, a part of a Comb of the middle story an inch or two up in∣to the upper box, filling almost the passage hole quite up, leaving themselves onely a little hole, as big as two fingers might go in, for their passage up and down: I am not very certain, whether this was not done at first when they wrought in the middle Box, and whether this was not the reason, why they wrought so little in the upper Box, because they stopped themselves up from an easie passage to it. The Combes in the lower stories were well replenished with Honey, and suddainly, but these little Combes

in the upper they quite defert, contrary to our expectation, which was, that they would have wrought most in the upper story, and the middlemost, in which, when they had wrought enough for their own spending, that then we might take away the uppermost from them, and so have continued still: but if we find another year, that they fill not again the uppermost, it will be all one still to take away the lowermost from them, but if that be so, then two Hives will be sufficient. We must rather desire of you farther light in this business, which I presume you can afford us, from other mens Observations, that have tried the like Experiment, for as yet you see ours is imperfect, and we know not what to make of it.

All-Soules Coll. Febr. 26. 1654.

Sir, I am Your most obedient humble Servant,

CHRIST. WREN.

• ab. ab. ab, 3 Octogonall Boxes exactly in all par,+ticulars of one shape & size,
• c. a hole in the top, w.^ch is the same in every Box.
• d. a Cover (the same to every hole) turning upon a pinne.
• e. f. a Wiar, w.^ch puls the Cover to close it upon occasion,
• ggg. holes throug w^ch the ends of the wiars ap,+peare,
• hhh. the Dores, every one to be opened or shut by litle sliders the lower dores are open, the others shut,
• RK.K. the vpper edges of every box, sloped away convexedly, the bottomes are likwise sloped away concauely, that any one Box may fit to any of the other two,
• m. A litle Rey made to screw on the ends of the wiars y^t appeare in the holes, by that meanes to close any of the holes,

In the sides behind oppo,+site to the sides hhh, are dores that open with hinges & locks about 4 Inches one way & 6 the other•• & within each a peece of cleere glasse clo,+••se semented to the inside of the Box, to look in vpon occasion,

Each box is lined with Rush matt,

It standes in a Case of stone that serves both as a Stock & a Covering to it.

[illustration]

Scale of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & Inchar.

Considerations upon the Letter from Oxford.

SIR,

Upon speech with Mr. Greatrix (according to your desires) I find, that the substance of what he intimated to you the other day, upon the sight of your Letter from Oxford, was no other than what truly my thoughts from my own reason, and the sight of Dr. Brown's Essay upon the same subject, confirmed me in: viz. that Bees, as they do naturally begin in the top of the Hive and work downwards, so do they not like that that top should be more than one, or at most two stories high. For as by the judgements of all that write of Bees, a valley is counted the best kind of seat for them, to the intent, that when they come heavy loaden home (as they do often in a day) their journey may be a descent, and consequently easie, so from the same rea∣son ought the work within the Hive to be so ordered, as to be upon as little ascent as may be, or rather upon a descent. I mean, that it be so ordered, as that the Bees may go rather down than upwards within their Hive. Upon this ground my opinion is, that one Box is (at the beginning) sufficient, or but two at the most. When this one (if but one be used at first) shall be filled, it would (the entrance into it being first stopped, and the lower middle hole of it be left open) be set upon another lower Box, and when this second Box shall be also filled, a third would be set under the two first, and when the whole Body of the Bees is fully gone down into the third or lowest Box, then (and not before) may the first or upper Box be taken away; and after this manner may the upper Box still be taken away from time to time, as often as the lower shall be filled, and a new empty one put under. This I have gathered from such Books as I have met with, but that which from my own private judgement I offer as a futher Addition is, that I could wish that the lowest Box should be still so placed, as to hang down through and below the planke or seat upon which Hives are ordinarily placed, so as that the Bees, when they come heavy loaden home, may go down∣wards into it. When this lowest Hive is almost full (which might be discovered through windows left for that purpose)

than would another empty one be put into its place, and the Box that is almost full so to be placed upon the empty one, as that the Bees may enter by a hole in the lower part of it, and (when it is absolutely full) go down into the lowest Box. And by this meanes the heavy loaden Bees (instead of carrying their loads three stories high, according to the Oxford practise) do still work either downwards, or very little upwards. I will conclude this Subject with an Observation concerning these little Crea∣tures, viz. that their King weares no sword, I mean, hath no sting of their own, nor any Ianizaries, nor other meanes of safety to themselves, than the loyalty of their Subjects.

Some remarkable Observations, concerning the swarming of Bees; together with a short Description of a Bee-hive made of Glasse.

ALthough Experience tells us, that Bees do naturally love to hive in woods and other places out of mens sight, and that chiefly at the time, when they send forth their numerous Swarms like so many new Colonies; yet notwithstanding, they may be brought so to part with that kind of wildness, as to give men leave to observe them, and to admire Nature, whose pleasure it is, in this contemptible sort of Insects, to make shew of the great riches of her Treasury. This is not hard to prove.

For it is known, that Bees, when they begin to swarm, and that the heat of the Sun hath drawn them out of their Hive, do fly about till their King (whom Nature hath wisely unarmed) doth by his sitting down determine the place of their Rendezvous, which they immediately take notice of, and all those huge num∣bers of them (being from that time forwards to make their own fortunes, and to be their own Purveyors) do pitch their Camp round about their King. Presently after which, a certain kind of Bees, which are commonly called Scouts, are sent out to dis∣cover places for them to hive; and till these Scouts return, the whole Swarm sits still to refresh themselves, being weary with flying at their first swarming. These Scouts at their return rush violently in upon the Swarm, and carry away to the place which they have found, some part of the Swarm, together with the

King, on whom depends the unity, good fortune and safety of them all.

In the Northern Countries, as Poland, Lithvania and Musco¦vie, men use to make Hives for them on purpose in the Woods and where such are the Bees chuse them, but if they can find none such, then they hive in old, hollow and rotten trees, and that for many yeares together, till the hollow place being filled with that excellent liquor of Honey, they are forced to go to some other place. So that many times those that fell wood do, when they little think of it, find in hollow trees great store of Honey.

It is remarkable, that most Swarms, as soon as they come out, do rest themselves in some place near to their old Hives, for two or three houres together, in which time, unless they have Hives provided them, they forsake their former Master, and betake themselves to the Woods and solitary places. But if they have Hives provided for them, they submit themselves to the Owners of those Hives, especially if their King (which is observeable) be shut into a little den made on purpose, and be kept there for three or four dayes together. In which time chiefly you may perceive a wonderful diligence in the Bees, and that it may be the better seen by such as are curious, and admirers of Nature, Industry hath shewed how to make Hives of Glass, which may be placed in Gardens, and other convenient places, and even in Windowes.

The manner whereof is this following.

Let great care be taken in the choice of the place; for Ex∣perience will shew, there lies much in that. It will be best for this purpose to chuse a window towards the Sun-rising, for by this means, the Bees will have their industry quickened, which from the very Sun-rising will set them to work, they being Creatures so intent upon their business: and besides, it will free the poor weak things from many inconveniencies. It will be otherwise, if you chuse for this purpose a place towards the West or North, for the light of the rising-Sun, coming but late upon a place that is towards the West, will make the Bees go late to worke, and the North with its natural sharpness will weaken and shrink up the tender bodies of those little Creatures,

they delighting in heat: so that the East and the South are for this purpose farre better than the other two quarters of the world.

Having so chosen the place, let there be made an Hive of about a yard high or a little more, after this fashion. Fasten four little pillars of wood in two boards, one on the top and the other at the bottom, and let the pillars be answerable to the height of your window, and let that side of the Hive, which is to be towards the air, be half a yard broad, and the other side, which is to be towards your chamber, a quarter of a yard broad. In that side which is towards the air, you are to leave a slit of about two fingers breadth, for the Bees to fly in and out at, and in the middle of that slit you must put a cross peice of wood, which must be very well fastened, that it slip not up and down, and so crush the Honey-combes, but that it may the better bear the weight of them. In the inner side of the Hive, you are to make doors about a quarter of a yard broad, and well and strongly bolted, that the Bees may be kept from flying into your chamber. Through these doors you are to put in your Swarm, and take out your Honey. And for the space between the afore∣said pillars, you may have it closed either with whole glass, or with smaller peices leaded; or if you will have the whole Hive of glasse, the Glass-makers can make it for you, but you must ob∣serve the Conditions before expressed.

Having thus prepared all things, you may place the Swarms where you intend to have them in the Hive, and with delight behold their work, and in a kind of rapture cry out, That the world is the great book of God, containing three leaves, viz. Heaven, Earth and Sea, wherein there are so many characters of the wisdom of God as there are Creatures.

A singular Observation concerning Bee-Hives and Buck-Wheat, in reference to Bees, made by Mr. Thomas Babington in his Travels into Germany.

IN K••mpen-Land in Germany I have seen about fourty great Bee-Hives, which contain, when they are full, about seventy pound weight in Honey, placed near a great field sown with

Buck-Wheat, and it was related to me of a truth by the Inha∣bitants, that the Bees did suck such ••lenty of Honey out of it, that in a fortnights time the said Hives were all filled there with.

The said Buck-Wheat is a three square grain, which when it is ripe is made use of for Pan-cakes, and to brew Beer, and excellent good to fatten Hogs with, and in blowing time of singular use for Bees.

How to make good Greek, or other Wines out of Honey.

AS concerning the passage in my Letters concerning Honey, I cannot exactly give you an account of it, till I see all the Discourse: Thus much I remember and know by experience, that if pure Honey be gently boiled in pure water, and well scummed, and afterward cooled, and then with barm or yest set to work∣ing, as we usually do Beer or Ale, and then put into a larger vessel for a time, and afterwards drawn into pottles, that a li∣quor hath, and may be made like fountain water, yet of such a fine excellent tast, and so strong, that some, who have thought themselves of very good pallats, have mistaken it for Greek Wine.

And I question not, but Sugar will do the like, but whether I seem to speak of any more ingenious clarifications, as with white of Eggs, with falt of Tartar, or with other things, that Vintners use for their Wines, or whither I refer them to Glauber, who in his Appendix speaketh of some ingenious fermentati∣ons and clarifications, I cannot certainly tell. But this I dare boldly say, that if any Gentleman would trie Experiments upon Honey, Sugar, yea, or any sweet things, if the sweetness be not too flashy and watry, he shall find divers things both delightful and profitable.

I hope Glauber, who hath promised divers things in these kinds, and I suppose is most able to accomplish them, will more clearly manifest them for the good and comfort of our Northern Countries.

I desire to hear what other ingenious things are written of late. I think these times very fruitful, and that the great Se∣crets,

which have a long time been hid, will shortly be ma∣nifested.

A Receipt to make a pure Mead that shall tast like Wine.

TAke one part of clarified Honey, and eight parts of rain Water, or other clear Water, and boil them well together in a copper vessel, till half the liquor be boiled away, but while it boiles, you must take off the scum very clean, and when it hath done boiling, and begins to cool, tun it up, and it will work of it self. As soon as it hath done working, you must stop the vessel very close, and bury it under ground for three months, which will make it loose both the smell and tast of the Honey and Wax, and will make it tast very like Wine.

Another way to make a most pleasant and Wine-like Mead.

TAke of clarified Honey twenty pound, and of clear Water thirty two gallons, mingle them well together, and boil that liquor half away, and take off the scum very clean, when it hath done boiling, and begins to cool, put it into a vessel, where hath been Rhenish wine before, and put to it four gallons of Rhenish wine Must, and let it work; then stop the vessel very close, and bury it under ground for two months together, at the end of which draw it off the lees, and put it into another clean sweet vessel by it self, and it will be very like Wine; and if you would have it of an aromatick tast, you may put these following in∣gredients into the vessel at first, and let them work with the li∣quor, viz. of floures of Elder, Rosemary and Majoram, each one handful, of Cinnamon two ounces, of Cloves six ounces, of Ginger, Pepper and Cardamome, each two scruples, these will give the Mead a most pleasant tast.