364 The Honey-Makers 



There is at the present time a long list of books about 

 bees suited to the average reader, many of which are 

 admirable. 



No great general progress was made in practical bee- 

 keeping until within about fifty years. In that time the 

 methods of handling bees and honey have taken immense 

 strides, so that bee-keeping to-day is more scientifically 

 practised than ever before, and probably there is more 

 honey harvested to-day than ever before. 



It is only in Europe and North America, however, or in 

 countries colonized by Europeans or Americans, that the 

 bee is scientifically cultivated. The whole world owns the 

 bee, but the whole world has not yet learned how to profit 

 to the utmost by its possession. Wherever flowers bloom 

 bees hum. From the frozen regions to the equator they are 

 the companions of the flowers. All civilized peoples keep 

 them and have done so from remote ages, and many semi- 

 civilized races hive and care for them. 



The- genus Apis supplies the most valuable honey-bees 

 to the world, and to this genus belong the domesticated 

 bees of Europe, Asia, Egypt and North America. 



Apis Mellifica is the species best known to us, and vari- 

 eties of this bee have now been introduced into nearly 

 all parts of the world. 



In India, however, where the bees are as highly valued 

 by the people to-day as when Kalidasa gave them such 

 frequent place in his love songs. Apis Mellifica is not indig- 

 enous. Indeed, India has four or more species of honey- 

 making bees, though but one of these, the Apis Indica, is 

 kept in hives. The others live in rocks or trees and store 

 quantities of " wild honey," which the natives gather. 



The most famous of the wild honey-bees of India is the 

 large Apis Dorsata, found also in the adjoining countries. 



It is said to be a fierce wild bee, and builds an enor- 



