RACES AND RELATIONSHIPS OF HONEY-BEES. 209 



Variation and Reversion, 



Having ventured the statement that probably the Brown 

 bee approaches more nearly the original ancestral type than 

 any other of the domesticated races, I will try to explain my 

 reasons for this theory ; but as this opinion is based upon the law 

 of variation, and the tendency of some variations towards rever- 

 sion, or throwing back, to the original type, it is necessary to say 

 something about this law, and the tendency which generally, more 

 or less, accompanies it. 



The disposition towards variation exists throughout all nature, 

 and must be apparent both in plants and animals to every ob- 

 server. It is only necessary to refer to what is daily achieved by 

 the skill of nurserymen and agriculturists on the one hand, and 

 by breeders and fanciers on the other ; but these would not be 

 able to produce variations and races, which are often quite different 

 in appearance from the original type, were it not that a disposi- 

 tion of variation exists within every organism. Although this 

 law is not entirely under man's command, for the simple reason 

 that it is not perfectly understood, it is extensively made use of 

 by him, either directly or indirectly. Directly, when a certain 

 inclination towards a variation is specially cultivated, and in- 

 directly when the finest and most vigorous strains are selected for 

 the propagation of the race, and by means of modifications which 

 are often exceedingly minute in certain individuals, a gradual 

 change is brought about that will ultimately produce a charac- 

 teristic variety. 



Wherever a tendency towards variation appears, such a ten- 

 dency may be, and frequently is, intensified by selection, and a 

 new variety often rapidly springs up. It will, however, greatly 

 depend upon circumstances whether a variety will possess sufficient 

 vitality to last, for unless due regard is paid to the propagation 

 of a general stamina, a selection in one direction may prove in 

 the end fatal to the strain. 



The gradual adaptation to a new climate, the more abundant 

 supply of food or the reverse, or local geographical conditions, 

 impress themselves upon individuals, and by imperceptible grada- 

 tions may bring about a variety from the ancestral race. This, 

 however, is merely assisting the law of variation to which the 

 individual bends involuntarily, for, unless this law existed, altered 



