1894 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE, 



317 



We see, therefore, that it is in vain to look for 

 specific characteristics iti any external modifi- 

 cation of any nature. How, then, may we dis- 

 tinguish between races and species? I answer, 

 first: All the members of a species have the 

 same anatomical structure. Gather together 

 specimens of a species from the four quarters of 

 the globe, and it will be found that the number, 

 structure, articulations, and the relations of the 

 bones are the same, with occasional and unim- 

 portant exceptions, such as an additional Hngiir 

 or toe, or other such slight variation. Second- 

 ly: A sure and unerring mark of distinction 

 between the offspring of different species and 

 of different races is found in the fact that the 

 progeny of different races of the same species 

 is fertile, and will propagate indefinitely, while 

 hybrids are sterile, or have only a very restrict- 

 ed fertility, which generally disappears entire- 

 ly in a few generations. When hybrids are fer- 

 tile, after the first generation many of the off- 

 spring revert back to one of the parent types; 

 sometimes to that of the father, and at others 

 to that of the mother. If the hybrids continue 

 to be prolific through several generations there 

 comes in what is called disordered generation, 

 in which the different Individuals do not resem- 

 ble either the parents or each other — are a group 

 of very unlike individuals. Almost all known 

 hybrids have been produced under the care of 

 man, and it requires constant care to continue 

 them in existence. But how different with 

 mongrels! Without any care, and often in 

 spite of watchful efforts to the contrary, mon- 

 grels will cross and mix in every shade and de- 

 gree of relationship, and every individual will 

 be as prolific as the original parents. The great 

 trouble with races and mongrels is, to prevent 

 their crossing and mixing to an undesirable ex- 

 tent. Now, with these genei-al laws and prin- 

 ciples before us, let us inquire whether the dif- 

 ferent kinds of bees that we know are species 

 or races and varieties. 



We have, or have had, in this country the 

 (Jerraan (or black) bee: the Italian, the Egyp- 

 tian, the Cyprian, the Holy-Land, the Carnio- 

 lans, and the Tunisian (or Punic) bees. I have 

 studied all the literature accessible on the sub- 

 ject, and I have never seen a hint of there be- 

 ing any essential difference in the anatomical 

 structure of any of these different kinds of 

 bees. Nor have I seen any complaint or state- 

 ment that the offspring of any of these crosses 

 were any less prolific than their parents. Nor 

 has there appeared any tendency to diminish 

 prolificness as generation after generation has 

 passed away. Now, here we have all the char- 

 acteristics of races, but a total absence of the 

 marks of species. 



From the foregoing truths we must conclude 

 either that our bees are not controlled by the 

 general laws that govern in the natural world 

 (for which we have no warrant), or we must 

 admit that all the different kinds that we have 



are distinct races belonging to one and the same 

 species. It seems to me. Mr. Editor, that this 

 last is the only scientific conclusion to which 

 we can come. If this conclusion is correct, as I 

 believe it to be, we have not different species of 

 bees, only races and their crosses, or mongrels. 

 It follows that, to speak of hybrids, is improp- 

 er, as there are no such bees in the country. 

 Canon City, Colo. 



[It has been generally recognized that the 

 term hybrid, as applying to a cross between 

 Germans and Italians, was incorrect; but the 

 name got started wrong, and at this time it 

 seems to be quite impossible to correct it. Un- 

 fortunately, there are other terms in apicultural 

 nomenclature that are about as bad. Dr. .Mil- 

 ler could probably furnish you quite a list. He 

 would have these dropped, and correct ones 

 used instead. But as publishers of tons and 

 tons of bee literature, the task of making these 

 changes, to say nothing of the expense and the 

 practical impossibility of getting the general 

 public to accept them, leads us to forbear even 

 the attemiit. Bro. York estimates that we have 

 sent out, or will have when the next edition is 

 exhausted. <ome ti2 tons of the A |{ C of Bee 

 Culture alone. This represents only a small 

 part, comparatively, of other bee matter that 

 we have sent out. Manifestly we can't change 

 what has gone out; and if we do try to substi- 

 tute new terms for what is to go out. the reading 

 public will not. To illustrate: Our spelling is 

 a reproach and a discredit upon all civilized 

 nations using it. We got started wrong, and 

 we now admit our inability to help ourselves. 



By the way, you have given us some interest- 

 ing facts in regard to species, hybrids, and 

 mongrels. — Ed.] 



MANUM IN THE APIARY. 



FLORAL FERTILIZATION DISCUSSED. 



By A. E. Mamaii. 



"Good morning, Mr. Hill. Drive right into 

 the barn, and have your horses fed." 



"Thank you, Manum; but Ican'tstop long. 

 I must hurry home to look after my sap. This, 

 you see, is what we call a "sugar snow";'' and, 

 by the way, here is a cake of sugar that my 

 wife sent to your wife." 



" Well, there she is under the shed, feeding 

 her White Wonders. She owns the hens, and 

 takes the principal care of them. I know she 

 will be pleased with this nice cake of new ma- 

 ple sugar." 



"Now, Manum, have called to ask you a 

 few questions. I don't know any thing about 

 bees, and don't want to know. I would not 

 have a hive of them on my farm. Why! they 

 would sting me to death, or drive me oft'. But 

 what I want to know is this: Do bees damage 

 buckwheat? I intend to plow up an old pas- 

 ture, and sow it to buckwheat; but my neigh- 

 bors tell me that Mr. Elliot's bees will ruin it, 

 and I have come to ask your opinion; and I 

 want you to tell me aJl you know about it. If 

 you tell me to sow the buckwheat I will do so; 

 and if you say bees will damage it, I shall sow 

 rye." 



