Co-operation of Plant Life 



rounded by the stamens, the male part of the flower which 

 fertihzes the seeds. Nature had discovered that "in breed- 

 ing" produces degeneration and that "cross breeding" pro- 

 duces new varieties and progress. Since the plants do not 

 have the power of locomotion and since both male and female 

 sex organs are located in the flower, Nature arranged a 

 reciprocal plan between the flower and insects that would 

 bring about "cross breeding" thus insuring new varieties and 

 stronger offspring. This arrangement forms one of the most 

 interesting pages in Nature study. The stamens produce the 

 pollen dust that fertilizes the seeds. In some plants the wind 

 will carry this pollen dust to a neighboring plant but not in 

 all varieties. Insects carry this pollen dust on their bills, feet, 

 legs and wings. In some of them, it is carried in baskets on 

 their legs. But going from plant to plant calls for work 

 which must be rewarded. The flowers have developed both 

 color and fragrance to attract the insects and then as a 

 reward, the flowers have developed little cups of nectar- 

 honey which is a delicious food for all honey loving insects. 

 In gathering this honey which surrounds the pistils of the 

 flower, the pollen dust from the nearby stamens is brushed 

 off and attaches to the bill, feet, wings, legs and baskets of 

 the insects and is then carried to some neighboring plant and 

 brushed off on its pistils. Thus the plan of cross breeding is 

 carried on among the plants. 



But this reciprocal agreement is not always carried out 

 in good faith and conscience because some of the plants have 

 turned criminal, have become flesh eaters, and use their honey 

 as a bait for the trap into which they can entice their prey 

 and then fasten them up and devour them. Others are par- 



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