THE FLOWER AND THE BEE 



ment is correlated with insect visits, and in their absence our 

 flora would have been composed chiefly of small, green or dull- 

 colored blossoms, similar to those of the grasses and sedges 

 and of thousands of other plants, which are wind-pollinated, 

 and are usually passed by almost unnoticed. 



That flowers act strongly upon the imagination is shown 

 by the myths of the Greeks, and the poetry of all nations. 

 Even the ruder songs of the primitive northern nations, accord- 

 ing to Humboldt, were influenced by the forms of plants. 

 Of the relations of flowers to humanity, the poet is the true 

 interpreter, not the man of science. He alone, as Longfellow 

 has said, is qualified to unfold the bright and glorious revela- 

 tions and the wondrous and manifold truths written in these 

 stars of earth. 



"And the poet, faithful and far-seeing. 

 Sees, alike in stars and flowers, a part 

 Of the selfsame universal being 



Which is throbbing in his brain and heart. 



Brilliant hopes, all woven in gorgeous tissues. 



Flaunting gaily in the light; 

 Large desires, with most uncertain issues, 



Tender wishes blossoming at night. 



These in flowers and men are more than seeming; 



Workings are they of the selfsame powers 

 Which the poet in no idle dreaming 



Seeth in himself and in the flowers. 



In all places, then, and in all seasons, 



Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings, 



Teaching us by most persuasive reasons 

 How akin they are to human things." 



While an examination of the poetry which has been written 

 on flowers in all ages would teach many valuable lessons, we 



6 



