398 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1888. 



plants under different conditions, the true Darwinian idea of cross- 

 fertilization. But I could see no bees visiting the chickweed for 

 this banquet of nectar set before them. As the flowers are arranged 

 for self-fertilization, there could be no assistance to the flowers in 

 this work even did bees visit them. If insects came, in no way does 

 it appear they could be of any advantage. Because I did not see 

 any bees using the nectar during warm days following the first ob- 

 servations, it does not follow that they never resort to it. Bees go 

 to those flowers where their hard task is the easiest. I have often 

 seen them collecting pollen from chickweed, when a few warm early 

 spring days attracted them from the hive, but at soon as the male 

 catkins of the willow mature, with their very abundant crop of pollen, 

 they leave the chickweed, and indeed most other flowers, while the 

 willow pollen lasts. 



Later on, about the middle of May, I found nectar-collecting 

 honey bees working freely on Cerastium viseosmn. It is never safe 

 to say bees or other insects do not visit certain flowers. It depends 

 largely on the supply of material. When abundant they evidently 

 have preferences, and let the more difficult tasks alone. 



