AND INSECT AID. 287 



a perusal of, the works referred to, this paper will not have been 

 written in vain. It will naturally be asked, Why has Nature planned 

 all these contrivances to bring about cross fertilisation ? Mr. Darwin 

 has clearly proved that plants which are the product of cross- 

 fertilisation are both stronger in constitution, and more prolific in 

 seed-bearing, than those resulting from close-fertilisation. Another 

 and more important result may have been designed, namely, the 

 origin of new varieties and new species. If we consider how 

 much the skilled nursery-man has effected, within living memory, 

 in the direction of producing new varieties in such well-known 

 plants as roses, strawberries, pelargoniums, primulas, and a host of 

 other flowering and fruit-bearing plants, we may readily understand 

 how pollen-carrying insects may, in the countless ages that have 

 passed, have been instrumental in effecting changes of a similar 

 character in plant development. That pollen-bearing insects, such 

 as bees and moths, have been largely engaged in helping to clothe 

 this earth of ours with some of its most beautiful forms, cannot, I 

 think, in the present state of knowledge, be doubted. Devout 

 minds, like that of Christian Conrad Sprengel, will perceive the 

 wisdom and goodness of the great Creator, operating by means of 

 natural agencies, in producing beautiful forms of plant life to 

 delight the senses and supply the wants of His creature man. 

 Even the atheist, on thoughtful consideration, must admit that the 

 vegetable world, and especially the flower-bearing portion of it, 

 affords ample evidence of design. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXIV. 



Fig. 1. — Chrudendron Tliovipsonia. a, Flower on first day, anthers 

 discharging pollen, pistils immature, h, Flower on second 

 day, anthers effete, pistils matui-e and receptive. 



,, 2. — Arum maculat-iim, a, Hairs ; 6, Anthers ; c. Stigmas. 



,, 3. — Gercmium jjratense. a, Flower when first open, h, Flower, 

 with anthers at maturity. c, Flower after anthers have 

 become effete and pistil mature. 



,, 4. — Primnla vulgaris. a, Long-styled or Pin-eyed, b, Short- 

 styled or Thrum-eyed. 



