[3] Dr. Evans's poem consisted of four parts, of which only three were ever published. We possess an author's presentation copy in which is a written memorandum that the manuscript of the remainder had been prepared for the press, and was still in the keeping of the family. We have written numerous letters with a view to tracking it out for publication; but very recently we have learnt that the only survivor of nine children is unable at present to discover the whereabouts of the document. Dr. Evans was some time a physician at Shrewsbury, but removed into and died in Wales.
[4] Pronounced Dzeert-sohn. Some of the above names, it may not be amiss to add, are not always spelt correctly by bee-writers. In particular, nearly all of them, copying each other, omit the accent in "Réaumur" (Ray-oh-mewr), which we find French biographers unanimous in inserting. We have also seen "Miraldi" in a recent popular work, while one author had a fancy to write "Hüber," which is evidently a pure mistake.
Of the mass of other names that press in upon us it will be impossible in such narrow limits to supply any details. The literature of the subject is truly enormous, and all that we can do is to furnish a list in rough chronological order of the more noteworthy of those who have in some way rendered service to our acquaintance with the bee. Besides the great naturalists Linnæus and Cuvier we therefore select the following:—
Sixteenth century.—Hill, Nikol Jacob. "De Proprietatibus Apum" (anon.) published about 1510.
Seventeenth century.—Butler, Purchas, Goedart, Swammerdam, Sir C. Wren, Hartlib, Gedde. Rusden, Ray (with Willughby and Dr. M. Lister), Dr. Martin John (of Germany).
Eighteenth century.—Maraldi, Mme. Merian, Dr. Warder, Dr. Derham, Réaumur, Thorley, Lyonnet, Vanière (poet, of Holland), Dobbs, Rev. Stephen White, Schirach, Janscha, Bonner, Debraw, Thos. and Danl. Wildman, Gilb. White, Mme. Vicat, Pösl, Abbé Della Rocca, Hubbard, Keys, Bonnet, Riem, Dr. Jno. Hunter.
Nineteenth Century.—François Huber (with his son Pierre, and Burnens), Latreille, Mlle. Jurine, Spitzner, T. A. Knight, Rev. Dr. Dunbar, Huish, Dr. Evans (poet), Feburier, Kirby and Spence, Humphrey, Baron von Ehrenfels, Newport, Dr. Bevan, Gundelach, Lord Brougham, Pastor Oettl, Capt. von Baldenstein, Nutt, Payne, Taylor, Golding, Maj. Munn, Woodbury, Quinby (of America), Wagner (ditto).
Of contemporary writers in our own language, we may, in addition to Langstroth, refer to Rev. W. C. Cotton, Samuelson (with Dr. Hicks), Hunter, Cheshire, and Pettigrew; while to the German names already given may be added those of Professors Leuckart and Von Siebold, Drs. Dönhoff and Küchenmeister, Pastors Kleine and Schönfeld, Vogel, Dathe, Rothe, Count von Stosch, and Schmid, the editor of the Bienenzeitung. It is worth noting how large is the number of apiarians of different lands to whom the title of "reverend" is prefixed.
But while conceding to Germany an unquestioned first position in the theoretical department, we do not admit the accuracy of Von Berlepsch's assertion that "in all other countries bee-keeping is almost throughout a mere plaything and amusement." If the Baron would honour our island with a visit, we could show him, from one end of it to the other, a goodly number of very different cases; and though we have much to learn, and have not long gone systematically to work to learn it, there are not wanting clear and increasing signs that the right course is entered, upon, and must in time secure corresponding results. In the year 1874 was established the British Bee-keepers' Association, with one of the first entomologists of the day, Sir John Lubbock, at its head; and under its auspices there have since been held annual shows at the Crystal and Alexandra Palaces, at which bees themselves, their dwellings and paraphernalia, and their products, have been submitted to the awards of judges as well as to the popular inspection. Several periodicals are either wholly or in part devoted to apiculture, and altogether appearances are healthy and hopeful. While therefore we still do look for amusement from our bees, we claim to experience a more solid satisfaction as well.
