194 
Beekeeping 
tree; there is no distinction between drone and worker cells 
and these bees do not take kindly to confinement in a hive. 1 
VARIETIES OF THE SPECIES MELLIFICA 
In the classification of insects, differences in structure 
and color are the characters on which classification is usually 
made, but in the differentiation of the varieties of honeybees 
there are no constant differences in these characters to guide 
the student. The varieties are established by beekeepers 
because of recognized and well-marked differences in the 
behavior of the bees from various regions. They are, how¬ 
ever, valid biological varieties. While there are color dif¬ 
ferences, these are of little value in attempting a classifica¬ 
tion. Since beekeepers usually refer to these divisions of the 
species as races, this term is here adopted. Roughly the 
races are divided into three groups, (1) the eastern races, 
(2) the European races and (3) the African races. Certain 
characteristics of these groups are valid but the grouping is 
somewhat artificial. The principal races are here discussed 
in the order suggested by this grouping, the names given the 
races being indicative of their origin. 2 
Egyptian. 
These bees are somewhat smaller than the races best 
known to American beekeepers, the abdomen is slender and 
1 For further data concerning the various species of the genus Apis, 
consult the above mentioned papers by v. Buttel-Reepen as well as the 
following: — 
Gerstacker, 18G2. Ueber die geographische Verbreitung und die Abande- 
rungen der Honigbiene nebst Bemerkungen uber die auslandischen Honig- 
bienen der alten Welt. Reprinted in v. Buttel-Reepen’s Apistica. Partial 
English translation by Dallas, Ann. and mag. of nat. history, 1863, III 
series, vol. 11. 
Koshewnikov, G. A., 1900-1905 [Material for the study of the genus 
Apis] Russian. 
Additional references are given in the v. Buttel-Reepen papers. 
2 None of the races of the honeybee is native to America. The German 
bees were introduced early in the history of the country and are often 
designated native bees, but this is an error. After their introduction they 
