RACES 
615 
fifty or more. The good and bad points of Italians 
seemed to be intensified in Cyprians, temper excepted, 
which was described by many as demoniacal. It is 
true that, when thoroughly irritated, they make war 
with a will, and the bee-master needs the philosophy 
of a stoic, or the hide of a rhinoceros, if he is to 
stand his ground, for the enemy will submit under 
no treatment that does not involve decimation; but, 
doubtless, the troubles — of which the Author has had 
to bear his part — following the introduction of these 
beautiful bees were largely due to want of special 
knowledge of the race. A better acquaintance with 
them shows that, with proper handling, they are 
amongst the gentlest of bees. Probably, very savage 
Cyprian stocks were once not uncommon, and, even 
yet, now and again occur (see page 23) ; but of such, 
in recent years, I have seen no example. It is not 
my practice to use a veil in manipulating them, and 
for slight operations no kind of taming appliance is 
provided. By opening the hive deliberately, and, 
if there be a little disposition to fuss, waiting just 
a few seconds, almost anything may be done, with 
only a remote chance of a sting. Indeed, I always 
feel safer with them than with Italians, and would 
select them or Carniolans, in preference to any other, 
for showing to an unveiled stranger. The manner 
in which they are cultivated in Cyprus seems to 
forbid the idea of ferocity, as the hives are often 
built into the walls of houses, which exist in narrow 
streets. 
The fecundity of Cyprians is prodigious, and their 
honey-gathering powers great indeed. They build comb 
