322 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



character of the breed itself. So also with the bee. We find 

 marked differences in point of industry, even among our common 

 bees; but the Italian bee surpasses these in every respect. A 

 chief difficulty in the way of a more general attention to bee- 

 culture, arises from the almost universal dread of the sting of this 

 insect. Many fear even the momentary pain which it inflicts, 

 though no other unpleasant consequences follow ; but in some per- 

 sons it causes severe and long-protracted swelling and inflamma- 

 tion. This, especially, deters ladies from engaging in this pur- 

 suit. All this can be avoided by the introduction of the Italian 

 bee, which is by no means an irascible insect.* It will sting 

 only when it happens to be injured, when it is intentionally 

 annoyed, or when it is attacked by robbing bees : then it will 

 defend itself with undaunted courage, and such are its extraordi- 

 nary vigor and agility, that it is never overpowered, so long as the 

 colony is in a normal condition. Colonies of common bees may 

 speedily be converted into Italian stocks, by simply removing the 

 queen from each, and, after the lapse of two or three days, or as 

 soon as the workers decidedly manifest consciousness of the 

 deprivation, supplying them with an Italian queen. We are 

 thereby also enabled to note the gradual disappearance of the old 

 race, as it becomes supplanted by the new. Besides the increased 

 profit thus derivable from bee-culture, this species also furnishes 

 us with no small gratification, in studying the nature, habits, and 

 economy of the insect to greater advantage, because, by means of 

 it, the most interesting experiments, investigations, and observa- 

 tions may be instituted, and thus the remaining doubts and diffi- 

 culties be cleared up.' 



" He further says : ' It has been questioned, even by experienced 

 and expert Apiarians, whether the Italian race can be preserved in 

 its purity, in countries where the common kind prevail. There 

 need be no uneasiness on this score. Their preservation could be 

 accomplished, even if natural swarming had to be relied on. 

 because they swarm earlier in the season than the common kind, 



* Spinola speaks of the more peaceable disposition of this bee; and Columella, 

 1800 years ago, had noticed the same peculiarity, describing it as " mittor mori- 

 fctw." Both its superior industry and peaceableness have been noticed from the 

 earliest ages. 



