BEES UNDER PROPER CONTROL. 
23 
weakened, to say nothing of the pangs of the 
operator, and the uproar in the apiary. Although 
Cyprians cannot be subjugated by smoke, which 
maddens rather than terrifies them, certain strains of 
them at least, if suitably treated, are even more amen- 
able to the manipulator than ordinary Ligurians. I am 
not unconscious of the strong condemnation they have 
received from such an acute and reliable observer as 
Mr. Raitt, and many others, whose opinions cannot 
be lightly put aside ; but I ‘‘ speak that I do know, 
and testify that I have seen,^^ in adding that, although 
now and again a vicious Cyprian stock is met, yet 
that a bad name could not possibly be given to those 
in my possession, as well as to those I have had 
an opportunity of handling in the apiaries of others. 
Nor can I doubt that in some quarters bad reports 
of Cyprians have come from owners who have failed 
through not understanding how to approach them. It 
is said with truth, that men in their treatment of us 
are often like looking-glasses — reflecting our mood, 
frowning on us if we frown on them, but receiving 
us with hearty goodwill if we give evidence of confi- 
dence and respect. This is pre-eminently true of 
Cyprian bees. Gentle measures find them gentle. 
With as little disturbance as possible lift the quilt 
from two or three frames, and if the bees then 
appear fussy, wait a few seconds, on no account 
using smoke. The insects will seem to realise that 
the intrusion is not that of an enemy, and will quiet 
down, when we may proceed to totally uncover and 
examine. As the frames are now lifted, and the light 
streams on to the backs of these little beauties, 
