Melissēlogia, or, The female monarchy
Subtitle: being an enquiry into the nature, order, and government of bees, those admirable, instructive and useful insects. With a new, easy, and effectual method to preserve them, not only in colonies, but common hives, from the cruel death, to which their ignorant, injurious, and most ingrateful owners so commonly condemn them. A secret unknown to past ages, and now published for the benefit of mankind
By: Written upon forty years observation and experience. By the Reverend Mr. John Thorley ... ; illustrated with copper-plates
Series: Eighteenth century collections online
Publisher: Printed for the author; and sold by N. Thorley, at the Lock and Key facing the Mansion-House; and J. Davidson, at the Angel in the Poultry, Cheapside
Published: 1744
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 206
Subjects: Bees; Early works to 1800; Bee culture
Other titles: Female monarchy
Notes: The first word of the title is transliterated from the Greek.

Later editions published under title: An enquiry into the nature, order, and government of bees.

Signatures: a-b⁸ c⁴ d² [e]1 B-O⁸.

It is possible that [e]1=d3.

Subscription list: pages [xxvii]-xliii.

Errata: page [3], 2nd group.

"An explanation of the plates", pages [1]-[2] at end.

Includes bibliographical references.

English short title catalogue T98162

Pollard, A.W. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English books printed abroad, 1475-1640 (2nd ed.), 13497

Catalogue of botanical books in the collection of Rachel McMasters Miller Hunt, 185

Signature of Edward Fletcher on t.p. of 1st work in volume, covered by 2 printed labels, "Edward Fletcher." followed by "Paxford,"; initials "EF" stamped in blind on covers; armorial bookplate: Robert Vaugham Hughes, Wyelands.

Bound with: G. Bickham, The New Years gift, or, Times progress for the year of Our Lord 1743 (London, 1742?) and T. Hill, The arte of gardening (London, 1608).

Bound in 18th-century calf, rebacked; spine elaborately gilt, with label lettered "Bees & Gardening" in gilt and the date "1744" in gilt at foot; double gold rules on covers.