156 A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



scare they have received in their journey there — indeed 

 the most vicious stock if tied up and driven in a cart 

 about the country for an hour would be found thoroughly 

 subdued. 



When manipulating much with the Bees, the Apiarian 

 soon discovers certain stocks that are much more peace- 

 ful than others ; these may be noted as show stocks to 

 one's friends, who will often become quite bold after seeing 

 the way in which the Bees are handled. Half-breeds, the 

 cross between Ligurians and English Bees, have the 

 reputation of being very irritable, and I think it is well 

 founded. When Bees mean mischief, they emit a certain 

 note which I call their angry buzz ; this is soon learned 

 by their owner, who can often avoid being stung by 

 regarding the warning. 



FOREIGN BEES, AND THE METHODS OF 

 LIGURIANIZING AN APIARY. 



"The better brood, unlike the bastard crew, 

 Are marked with royal streaks of shining hue." — ViRGIL. 



Both Aristotle and Virgil wrote of a Bee which 

 answers to the Ligurian, or, as it is sometimes styled, 

 " Italian " or " Alp " Bee, and even in their days it was 

 called the better variety. The name " Ligurian " appears 

 to have been given by Spinola, who described it in 1805. 

 This Bee has since been introduced into most Bee-keep- 

 ing countries. The species is indigenous to the south of 

 Europe, and has been cultivated in Italy in the same way 

 as the common Honey Bee has been in the northern 

 parts of Europe from time immemorial. It is the Apis 

 Ligustica of the naturalist; and though so well known to 



