RACES AND RELATIONSHIPS OF HONEY-BEES. 211 



rooting, and the reduced tusks would leave it almost defenceless, 

 and therefore a prey to its enemies. 



It is apparent that variations acquired under natural con- 

 ditions will be propagated only when they are beneficial to the 

 individual of any species among which such a variation is de- 

 veloped. If, therefore, a sport or monstrosity appears, not 

 possessing beneficial advantages, it disappears frequently as sud- 

 denly as it sprung up. Small variations, meaning such as are 

 perceptible or more strongly expressed than those minute differ- 

 ences which are to be found between every individual of a 

 species, may, under certain circumstances, be neither beneficial 

 nor disadvantageous to a race. Such variations frequently affect 

 the coloration or markings, say, of a flower or an insect, and, on 

 account of their indifferent effect, remain stable, and produce a 

 local variety. If such variations become more extensive, and 

 predominate among a strain, these, when distributed over a more 

 or less extensive area, form what is termed a geographical race. 

 Further modifications may convert such a variety into a true 

 species. 



It is frequently difficult to determine between a species, a 

 geographical race, and a variety, such distinction depending to a 

 great extent upon individual opinion regarding these definitions. 

 A true species is, however, generally defined as a physical modi- 

 fication. This may either be characterised by a disinclination to 

 cross with other species of the same genus, or, if crossing takes 

 place, it is unproductive, or when hybrids are produced — these, 

 as a rule, are infertile among themselves. But, as these charac- 

 teristics cannot at all times be proved, the definition of species is 

 often arbitrary, because it is generally based upon outward ap- 

 pearances, which may be considerable, and still not have altered 

 the internal character sufficiently to influence the sexual func- 

 tions. The error into which naturalists fell when they considered 

 the various bees as species is therefore excusable, since only the 

 fertility among each other and of all of them has proved them to 

 be geographical races and varieties. 



The stability of certain varieties and geographical races is 

 very remarkable, but when they are subjected to new conditions 

 of life, whether these are climatic or dependent upon a different 

 food-supply, &c, it frequently happens that they are affected by 

 a new impulse of variability, and this may probably to some 



