have no other true knowledge than that of our own weakness and imperfections. Of ourselves we can do nothing, all we have we receive from the gracious hands of the Supreme Being, the munificent rewarder of good actions, of whose divine favour I wish you uninterrupted enjoyment."[1]
In the end of September, 1673, Swammerdam brought to a conclusion a work which had long occupied his attention, on a subject admirably adapted to his peculiar powers. No one so deeply interested as he had been from his infancy in the general history of insects, could fail to be particularly struck with the economy of bees, combining, as it does, much of what is most remarkable in other tribes of insects, with a great deal peculiar to itself. His efforts to become acquainted with their habits, and especially with their anatomical structure, have not been surpassed in labour and perseverance by any subsequent enquirer. For months together he was accustomed to commence his investigations at six o'clock in the morning, (when he could obtain sufficient light at that hour,) and continue them without interruption till twelve, seated all the time in the open air, with his head uncovered and exposed to the sun, the strongest light being necessary to enable him to use his magnifying glasses to the best advantage. About noon he was compelled to desist, as his eyes by that time began to fail from continual exposure to a bright light, and intent observation of minute objects through
- ↑ Book of Nature, Hill's edition, Part II. p. 153.
