322 
THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 
character of tlio breed itself. So also with the bee. We find 
marked differences in point of industry, even among our common 
bees; but the Italian bee surpasses these in every respect. A 
chief diriiculty in the way of a more general attention to bee- 
culture, arises from the almost universal dread of the sting of this 
insect. Many fear even the momentary pain which it inflicts, 
though no other unpleasant consequences follow; but in some per¬ 
sons it causes severe and long-protracted swelling and infla.mma- 
tion. This, especially, deters ladies from engaging in this pur¬ 
suit. All this can be avoided by the introduction of the Italian 
bee, which is by no means an irascible insect.* It will sling 
only when it happens to be injured, when it is intentionally 
annoyed, or when it is attacked by robbing bees ; then it will 
defend itself with undaunted courage, and such are its extraordi¬ 
nary vigor and agility, that it is never overpowered, so long as the 
colony is in a normal condition. Colonies of common bees may 
speedily be converted into Italian stocks, by simply removing the 
queen from each, and. after the lapse of two or three days, or as 
soon as the workers decidedly manifest consciousness of the 
deprivation, supplying them with an Italian queen. We are 
thereby also enabled to note the gradual disappearance of the old 
race, as it becomes supplanted by the new. Besides the increased 
profit thus derivable from bee-culture, this species also furnishes 
us with no small gratification, in studying the nature, habits, and 
economy of the insect to greater advantage, because, by means of 
it, the most interesting experiments, investigations, and observa¬ 
tions may be instituted, and thus the remaining doubts and diffi¬ 
culties be cleared up.’ 
“ He further says : ‘ It has been questioned, even by experienced 
and expert Apiarians, whether the Italian race can be preserved in 
its purity, in countries where the common kind prevail. There 
need be no uneasiness on this score. Their preservation could be 
accomplished, even if natural swarming had to be relied on, 
because they swarm earlier in the season than the common kind, 
♦ Spinola speaks of the more peaceable disposition of this bee; and Columella, 
1S00 years ago, bad noticed tho same peculiarity, describing It as u mitlor moi'U 
bun." Both its superior industr and peaceableness have been noticed from the 
earliest ages. 
