THE ITALIAN BEE. 283 



the part of Italy called Liguria. The Rev. E. W. Gilman, 

 of Hanger, Maiuo, directed the writer's attention to Spinola's 

 " I}if!ectorii)ii Liijuriw species novas aut rariores," from 

 which it appears, that Spinola accurately described all the 

 peculiarities of this bee, which he found in Piedmont, in 

 1805. He fully identiliod it with tlie bee described by Aris- 

 totle. 



2d. The apis fasciata (banded bee). This bee, related 

 to the Italian, or Ligurian, which has yellow bands also, is 

 found in Egypt, in Arabia, along both sides of the Red 

 Sea, in Syria, and in Cyprus. 



3d. We shall mention also the large Apis dorsata of South- 

 ern Asia, and the melipones of Brazil and Mexico. 



551. The Italian bee, Apis Ligustica, spoken of by Aris- 

 totle and Virgil as the best kind, still exists distinct and 

 pure from the common kind, after the lapse of more than 

 two thousand years. 



The great superiority of this race, over any other race 

 known, is now universally acknowledged ; for it has victor- 

 iousty stood the test of practical bee-keepers, side by side 

 with the common bee. The ultimate superseding of the 

 common bee by the Italian in this country is but a matter 

 of time. 



562. The following facts are evident: 



1st. The Italian bees are less sensitive to cold than the 

 common kind. 2d. Their queens are more prolific. 

 3d. They defend their hives better against insects. Moths 

 (802) are hardly ever found in their combs, while they are 

 occasionally found in the combs of even the strongest colo- 

 nies of common bees. Their great vigilance is due to the 

 mildness of the climate of Italy, whose Winters never 

 destroy the moth. Having to defend themselves against a 

 more numerous enemy, thej' are more watchful than the bees 

 of colder regions. 4th. They are less apt to sting. Not 

 only are thej^ less apt, but scarcely are they inclined to sting, 



