Norves ON THE TASTES OF BEEs IN CoLovUrR. 141 
NOTES ON THE TASTES OF BEES IN COLOUR. 
The Hon. Secretary read a communication which he had 
received from Mr J. T. Rodda, Eastbourne, referring to the ques- 
tion of the preference of bees for flowers of a particular colour, 
and asking for the result of any observations on the subject. 
The question was raised in an article in the “ London Magazine ”’ 
by Lord Avebury, whose observations pointed to the conclusion 
that the insects preferred blue flowers. He had called on Mr 
John Ross, Barkerland, a well-known bee expert, and he was very 
emphatic in saying they had no preference for blue flowers, and 
was of opinion that they were guided mainly by the odour. Mr 
Ross had undertaken to come on some future evening and give 
them the result of various observations on bees—not from the 
honey-grower’s point of view, but on the natural habits of the 
bees. On the other side of the question Mr Scott-Elliot had 
kindly written out the results of his observations, which were 
entirely against his own and very largely in favour of Lord Ave- 
bury’s. Mr Scott-Elliot’s communication (which follows) was to 
the effect that bees seemed to have a distinct preference for rich 
red, purple, or blue flowers. Mr R. Service said his observation 
was that they went indifferently to any flower whatever which con- 
tained nectar. Mr Chrystie mentioned their fondness for goose- 
berry and apple blooms. 
By Professor Scott-EL.ior. 
Judging from my own experience, I think that both hive bees 
and Bombi have a distinct preference for deep purple (aconite 
colour), rich, strong red (stachys and red clover), and blues 
(bugle), but the question is a very difficult one to answer. 
There are so many factors which confuse and disturb its solu- 
tion:—(1) Thus in early spring and late autumn, when there are 
but very few flowers out, the entire insect force available is con- 
centrated on those few, whatever their colour. 
(2) In a garden, so many flowers are crowded together and 
such quantities of insects are abroad that it is by no means safe 
to take any observations made in a garden as generally 
applicable. 
(3) To understand thoroughly the pollination of any one 
species, it would be necessary to watch that species in at least ten 
