The Life of the Bee
whereto it has had to conform.[1] The difference between these various species is scarcely greater than that between an Englishman and a Russian, a Japanese and a European. In these preliminary remarks, therefore, we will confine ourselves to what actually lies within the range of our eyes, refusing the aid of hypothesis, be this never so probable or so imperious. We shall mention no facts
- ↑ The scientific classification of the domestic bee is as follows:
Class ........ Insecta Order ........ Hymenoptera Family ........ Apidæ Genus ........ Apis Species ........ Mellifica The term "Mellifica" is that of the Linnæan classification. It is not of the happiest, for all the Apidæ, with the exception of certain parasites perhaps, are producers of honey. Scopoli uses the term "Cerifera"; Réaumur "Domestica"; Geoffroy "Gregaria." The "Apis Ligustica," the Italian bee, is another variety of the "Mellifica."
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