RACES. 
607 
cells were being built. This colony was placed in 
the house previously mentioned, the wings of the 
old queen being clipped. Drones were soon found 
in nearly every hive in the house, and three of the 
six queens were fecundated. Mr. McLain is hopeful, 
and intends trying in a larger, wire-covered inclosure, 
and concludes by saying: “If practical control of re- 
production can be secured by so simple and inexpen- 
sive a method — and the facts, from my experience, as 
given above, seem to warrant the conclusion that this 
is true — then the Rubicon of scientific apiculture is 
passed;” an expression of opinion which appears to 
me to over-estimate the general importance of fertili- 
sation in confinement, which never can be more than 
exceptionally applied, however practicable it may be 
made. The selection of the queen is always possible, 
and the extent of the influence this exerts must be 
judged in the light of previously-considered facts, 
and what is subsequently said respecting crosses. 
The genus Apis contains about sixteen species, 
which have such a near approach to structural identity 
that some naturalists are willing to regard mellifica^ 
our native bee, as the generic type, of which a few 
at least of the so-called species are merely varieties. 
It is urged by such, that mellijica^ ligusiica, and 
fasciata^ e.g., interbreed with avidity, and that their 
progeny are prolific ; but this is no proof of specific 
oneness, as closely-allied but universally-admitted 
species often possess the powers indicated. 
The whole genus is naturally restricted to the Old 
World, for although members of it have now become 
naturalised in America, Australia, and the islands of 
