Rki.ation of Beks to Fruit Cur.TrKE. 2o5 



plants of the same species. Tlic flowers of some species 

 matui-e tlieir stamens first, and slied theii* dnst before the 

 stigma of the same flower is sufliciently advanced to receive 

 it, while others produce blossonis in which the pistil is first 

 developed, and the process of fecundation is complete be- 

 fore tlie stamens drop their vitfd pollen. In some plants 

 we find the stamens and pistils separated from each other 

 and located some distance a])art, yet upon the same plant ; 

 while in otliers we find one individual producing stamens 

 alone, and another producing pistils. 



The question now very naturally arises, How can tlie 

 proper fertilization of plants be accomplished, or how shall 

 this fructifying dust pass from flower to flower ? Are not 

 plants imperfectly formed to be, thus of themselves, incaj> 

 able of the production of seed, and so perpetuating their re- 

 spective species ? 



I answer, not at all. Kature is a unit. True we see 

 the necessity of some agent to assist plants in carrying this 

 life-giving dust from one to another, and we also see a great 

 variety of bees and other insects ready and eager for the 

 work, for the sake of the food tlie plant may give them. 



Let us for one moment examine the common honey bee. 

 We find it of the proper size and shape to visit the larger 

 portion of the flowers of the most valuable plants in this 

 latitude. The color and fragrance of the flowers attract 

 them. The flow of honey is proti'acted for several days, 

 thus securing continued visits. We find the body of the 

 bee covered with hairs, like a l)rush, with which to secure 

 and hold the pollen as it flies from flower to flower. The 

 nectar produced by the flower proves just the food best 



