VIII. Observations on bees
The common bee, from a number of peculiarities in its œconomy, has called forth the attention of the curious; and, from the profit arising from its labours, it has become the object of the interested; therefore, no wonder it has excited universal attention, even from the savage to the most civilized people: but it has hardly been considered by the anatomist; at least the two modes of investigation have not gone so much hand in hand, as they ought to have done. The history of the bee has rather been considered as a fit subject for the curious at large, whence more has been conceived, than observed. Swammerdam, indeed, has rather erred on the other side, having, with great industry, been very minute on the particular structure of the bee. I shall here observe, that it is commonly not only unnecessary to be minute in our description of parts in natural history, but in general improper. It is unnecessary, when it does not apply to any thing, but the thing itself, more especially if it be of no consequence; but whenever it applies, then it should so far be treated accurately. Minutiae beyond what is essential, tire the mind, and render that which should entertain along with