CHAPTEE V. 



RACES OF BEES. 



As the development of bee-culture progressed, the 

 most advanced or the most expert bee-masters looked 

 around for a means of improving the native English 

 black, or, as it is commonly called, the German brown 

 bee. To this end stocks, swarms, and queens have 

 for a great number of years been imported from 

 various parts of the European continent and the 

 shores of the Mediterranean Sea. That in and in 

 breeding causes the deterioration of stock is well 

 known, and it is equally true that unless fresh blood 

 be introduced from districts beyond bee-flight, so as 

 to avoid the evils of consanguineous intercourse, an 

 enfeebled race of bees is inevitable. 



Imported bees may be divided into two kinds, the 

 yellow-handed (Ligurian, Cyprian, Syrian, and Holy- 

 land), and the silver-handed (Carniolans). 



The Ligubian. 



The first foreign bees to attract the notice of English 

 bee-keepers were the Ligurian (Apis Ligustica), or 



