270 Dr. A. Gerstacker on the Geographical Distribution 



The dorsal fluke measures 24 inches along its convexity, and 

 is 11 inches high. The pectoral fin, at its junction with the 

 trunk, is 7 inches across, and its greatest length (diagonal) is 

 19 inches; measured round the curve, it is 21. 



The eye is -J inch long by \ an inch. The orifice of the ear 

 is 2h inches behind the eye in a slightly diagonal direction, and 

 is less in diameter than a puncture by an ordinary pin. The 

 transverse diameter of the blow-hole is If inch, and the longi- 

 tudinal 1 inch, the points being directed forwards. 



The skin has been stuffed, though with much difficulty, owing 

 to its want of tenacity ; and the contrast of colour is now almost 

 imperceptible. 



The skeleton is in maceration, and will shortly be mounted. 



The dimensions of the skulf are as follows : — 



inches. 



Total length 19£ 



Length of nose 9 



Width at orbit 10 



„ notches 5f 



„ middle of nose A\ 



Length of lower jaw 15§ 



Width at condyles 9 



Teeth j| ||; curved, and acute where not slightly worn. 



Free Public and Derby Museum, 

 Liverpool, Feb. 17, 1863. 



XXXI. — On the Geographical Distribution and Varieties of the 

 Honey-Bee, with Remarks upon the Exotic Honey-Bees of the 

 Old World. By Dr. A. Gerstacker*. 



After a few observations upon domestic animals in general, and 

 the difficulty attending their identification with any existing 

 wild species, the author remarks that the mutual relation of the 

 various races of Honey-Bees is less subject to doubt, since, not- 

 withstanding that they have been described as distinct species 

 by various authors, they really present no distinctive specific 

 characters. Nevertheless, as with the other domestic animals, 

 the native country of the Honey-Bee is unknown, as may be seen 

 from the opinions expressed by the various entomologists who 

 have written upon this subject. Latreille says of the supposed 

 species of Honey-Bees, "One (viz. Apis mellifica, Linn.), which 

 is predominant and most generally cultivated, probably origi- 

 nated in the north, also found in Barbary, &c."t> and therefore 



* Abstract of a paper read to the eleventh ' Wander- Versammlung 

 Deutscher Bieneuwirthe,' Potsdam, 1862. 

 t Humboldt, Recueil d'Observations en Zoologie, p. 299. 



