EGYPTIAN AND OTHER FOREIGN BIEES. 45 
the breast. The Cyprian bees are intermediate 
between the Eeyptian and the Italian. As to the 
others, they have been ‘heard of,” and that is 
nearly all. 
Of the characters and relative values of these 
different bees, we are as yet possessed of very 
insufficient information. They have mostly been 
cultivated upon too small a scale to allow of 
authoritative judgments being put forth and re- 
ceived. Opinions in fact are often diametrically 
opposed, and the nearest approach to a careful 
estimate that we have come upon, consists in the 
following paragraph, which we cull from the American 
Bee Journal of May, 1877, and which is given as 
the outcome of a discussion between apiculturists 
of Silesia:* ‘Between the German [Inglish] and 
Heath bees there is no particular difference. The 
Egyptian bee ranks after the German and Italian; 
the Carniolan, at the expense of honey, produces 
many bees; the Cyprians are diligent, but quite 
inclined to sting. The Herzegovinian bee is praised. 
* On reference to the Birenen-Zeitung of 1876 we found the full 
report of the above discussion, and are disposed to think that so far as 
it goes the conclusion may be regarded as of real judicial weight. ‘The 
Heath bee, of which we never hear in this country, is spoken of as 
“cultured into goodness’ in its own district (from Sleswick to Olden- 
burg), but when transfered to other parts it regains its © natural 
wildness,” ceaselessly swarming, and hence yielding no honey. The 
Cyprian, says Giinther, who opened the discussion, “is beautiful, in- 
dustrious, and fruitful, but a fearful stinger.” (Messrs. Neighbour 
once imported a stock, and pronounced a like opinion). No special 
allusion is made to the Lower Austrian, and it is evident that it is 
included with the Carniolan. This would seem a pity, as the latter 
has received but a quaiified praise from the assembly. The former 
inhabits the neighbourhood of Vienna Dathe, who is one of the largest 
rearers of hees in Germany, announced soon after this that he had dis- 
continued the keeping of the Cyprian, Egyptian, and Carniolan kinds. 
