14 BEES FOR PLEASURE AND PROFIT. 



The Syrian Bee. 



Coneerning these bees there is great divergence of opinion, 

 some affirming that they are so vicious as to be quite un- 

 manageable, while others say that they can be handled like 

 flies. The same things are also stated concerning Cyprians 

 and Palestines. Now, what is the meaning of this incon- 

 gruity ? The reason, 1 think, is not far to seek. Amongst a 

 dozen stocks of English bees we shall find some which are so 

 vicious as, at times, to be almost unmanageable, while others 

 are so gentle that we can handle them with but very little 

 intimidation. The same thing may undoubtedly be said of the 

 foreign races ; and a person obtaining one — or perhaps two — 

 Syrian, Cyprian or Palestine queens, which happen to produce 

 vicious bees, immediately condemns the whole race as bad- 

 tempered and unmanageable ; while another man, getting his 

 queens from a different source, obtains workers which are gentle 

 and easily handled. Hence the folly of forming a judgment 

 concerning a race from one or two solitary instances. 



The Syrian queens are more prolific than any other variety, 

 and the number of eggs which one of these queens lays will 

 fairly astonish any one who has only been accustomed to English 

 bees. 



The workers are very much like Italians, but the under- 

 sides of their abdomens are yellower. 



The Cyprian Bee. 



These bees closely resemble Ligurians and Syrians in colour. 



The queens are more prolific than those of any other race, 

 Syrians alone excepted. 



These bees are said to be better honey-gatherers than any 

 others ; but, never having kept them, I am unable to speak 

 from experience. 



The South African Bee. 



In South Africa the two vaiieties of honey bee generally 

 met with are a small, darkish bee ia the Karoo and higher 

 parts of the inland districts, which, although an excellent 

 honey gatherer, is very fierce. 



Along the coast-line another variety is met with. This bee, 

 although smaller than a Ligurian or Carniolan, is yet a good 

 deal larger than the Karoo bee. The abdomens of the workers 

 are covered with light grey hairs, and in most cases have one 



