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 very troublesome; as, Wasps, Hornets, Gnats, Moths, and abundance more; was formerly as well known as now. In their Observations about Bees, the Ancients were very curious. Pliny (p) mentions one Aristomachus, who spent Fifty Eight Years in observing them: And it is very evident from him, Aristotle, and Ælian, that, as far as they could make their Observations, the Ancients did not neglect to digest necessary Materials for the Natural History of this wonderful and useful Insect. They were so particularly careful to collect what they could gather concerning it, that it is to be feared a very great Part of what they say is fabulous.

But if they were curious to collect Materials for the History of this single Insect, they were, in the main, as negligent about the rest. They had, indeed, Names for general Sorts of most of them; and they took notice of some, though but few, remarkable Sub-divisions. The Extent of their Knowledge in this Particular has been nicely shewn by Aldrovandus and Moufet. In their Writings one may see, that the Ancients knew nothing of many Sorts; and of those which they mention, they give very indifferent Descriptions; contenting themselves with