RACES. 
613 
this is lifted from the hive, the queen then still con- 
tinuing to walk deliberately, often depositing eggs 
while under observation. The queens are very pro- 
lific, and can, under proper handling, fill an enormous 
brood-nest ; the bees, in consequence, rapidly build 
up in the spring, and can bear artificial swarming to 
an extent that would be ruinous to blacks. They 
are splendid defenders of their stores, but, upon little 
encouragement, become determined robbers. They 
are almost proof against the attack of the moth, and 
this has much to do with their reputation in America, 
where the moth is so destructive. As honey- 
gatherers they are most excellent, and, for industry, 
unsurpassed ; but under unskilful treatment they 
are likely to convert too much of that they gather 
to nursery uses, instead of gratefully hoarding for a 
kind, though inexperienced, master. Failing here, 
many have condemned Italians and other yellow bees, 
while want of knowledge in the apiarian himself has 
been the weak point. Their comb honey is not 
equal in appearance to that produced by blacks, but 
for extracted honey they are very profitable bees. 
They winter indifferently, unless carefully protected, 
not being so truly a mountain race as some have 
stated. There is little doubt but that their beauty 
and gentleness have been the main causes in making 
them all but universal favourites, and that their im- 
portation, by introducing new blood, has been a 
general advantage to our native rnellijica. 
A few years since, the announcement was made 
that another and superior race of bees had been 
discovered on the island of Cyprus, and that Chan- 
