620 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
pregnation, but I regard the case, myself, as an 
extreme one. Although the drone from the cross- 
mated mother is pure, it must not be forgotten that 
a drone from her daughter is crossed ; so that these 
daughters must neither be allowed to furnish drones 
nor provide queen-cells. 
The practice of selection may soon bring into 
prominence any existent feature, and sometimes, with 
care, a sport may be perpetuated. Either selection, 
or a sport from the Ligurian, has produced the so- 
called Albino. I believe it to be a sport, because a 
similar instance occurred in Mr. Benton’s apiary, in 
a queen, now in my possession. The term “albino” 
is quite incorrect, and should not have been applied. 
For an instance of true albinism, see page 117, Vol. I. 
The bees under consideration are whiter in the body 
than Ligurians, because the down is lighter; while the 
abdominal rings are somewhat paler in colour. Much 
difference of opinion has been expressed respecting 
these albinos ; by some they are vigorously praised, by 
others as strongly denounced, as weak and profitless ; 
the mean probably nears the truth, as there seems no 
reason why they should be better or worse than 
other Ligurians, for such they undoubtedly are. 
Having now considered those races that have 
secured a favourable report, and which seem to 
possess the points requisite for building up an ideal 
bee, or “ the coming bee,” as our American cousins 
are fond of saying, let us give a glance to the better 
known of the other species of the genus Apis. 
The most important of these is Apis fasciata, or 
the Egyptian bee, found also in Arabia and Asia 
