452 Proc. B. N. F. C, 



summarised below are only to be found scattered over the pages 

 of many bee-publications, some of which are difficult of access. 

 The present paper is offered as a contribution towards that part 

 of the natural history of the honey bee. 



The following are the names and distinguishing features of 

 each of the races of honey bees that are best known to the bee- 

 keeping community. 



I. — Black OR Brown. The ordinary hive or honey bee, 

 called by way of distinction the Black or Brown, from being of 

 almost one uniform brown-black colour, with slight indications 

 of paler bands on the abdomen, and clothed with greyish brown 

 hairs. Till within the last fifteen years no other bee was known 

 in North or West Europe. This is also the bee, which after 

 escaping, has made itself wild in the American and New Zealand 

 woods. 



II. — Italian Alp. The Italian Alp bee, sometimes called 

 Ligurian, is indigenous to the mountainous district that lies in 

 the North of Italy round about the Lakes .Maggiore and Como. 

 It is of a light orange yellow colour with two orange red bands 

 on the abdomen, and is longer and more slender than the Black. 

 They are better honey gatherers, more hardy and prolific, and 

 very courageous in defending their own hives, even from the 

 ravages of the wax moth. 



III. — Cyprian. The Cyprians are natives of Cyprus and 

 part of Turkey in Asia. They are yellow, quite slender, wasp- 

 like, and smaller than Italians. They always have a yellow 

 shield mark on the back between the wings. They are strong, 

 excellent honey gatherers, winter better than any other race, 

 and are proof against being robbed by other bees. But they 

 are easily excited, and most revengeful stingers. 



IV. — Syrian. The Syrian bees are found on that part of 

 Asiatic Turkey which lies north of Mount Carmel. They are 

 of the same size, qualities, and temper as the Cyprians ; from • 

 whom they differ, in showing less yellow, and being on the whole 

 of a greyer colour over their whole bodies. They are quite 

 distinct from the next. 



