454 [P'^<><=- ^' N. F. c. 



soon be introduced to British beekeepers. They are the size 

 and colour of Italians but greyer, while they are more tractable, 

 and at the same time very prolific and of most remarkable 

 working powers, where honey is to be gathered they keep at it 

 early and late, and often even by moonlight. 



Whilst all these races breed freely when crossed with each 

 other, so that they cannot be regarded as separate species, they 

 all differ in certain particulars, the most striking of which are 

 noted above. The diiferences are, no doubt, the result of their 

 being influenced by climatic surroundings, as well as, in some 

 districts, of a long course of too close breeding. 



Studying these ten varieties with the aid of the map of the 

 world, it appears that the nearer India is approached so much 

 fiercer is the temper of the bees found to be. The question then 

 might arise, Was this the condition of the first original bee, 

 and have her descendants, as they migrated into colder climes, 

 lost some of that ferocity which renders the Indian bee the 

 terror to all travellers through the woods of that continent ? 



A point which opens a wide field of study is the colour of 

 several races, and what developed it, and how far it is to be 

 taken as an index of common descent ; thus dark-coloured races 

 are found in north-west Europe, Hungary, Carniola, and Tunis, 

 where they are wide apart from each other. 



American bee-keepers have set before them the project of 

 breeding bees by a judicious selection of queens and drones, 

 with what they consider these six indispensable qualifications 

 in bees kept for profit : i. Hardy ; able to bear bad winters 

 without too great dwindling. 2, Good breeders ; the queens 

 laying in abundance, early in spring and late in autumn. 3, 

 Gentle and quiet ; not attacking mankind without provocation, 

 and allowing themselves to be examined on a bar-frame comb 

 when lifted from the hive. 4, Good honey-gatherers ; working 

 on the flowers from sunrise till sunset. 5, Strong and active ; 

 flying long distances to pasturage, and vigorously defending 

 their stores. 6, Long tongued ; being able to get honey from 

 many flowers which defy most bees. 



