BEES AND PLANTS 195 



This partnership has naturally modified the in- 

 sects less than the flowers, as the latter were obliged 

 to develop innumerable devices for winning attention 

 from their messengers ; naturally also the insects have 

 been more largely modified in their mouth-parts 

 and appliances for carrying pollen, than in other 

 directions. Their habits have also been modified in 

 a measure, and the bee has in some mysterious way 

 been persuaded to work on one kind of blossom at a 

 time. The poetic reproach that the bee is a heart- 

 less rover, rifling the lily of sweets only to desert her 

 for the rose, is as unjust as it is untrue. Repeatedly 

 have we watched a bee at work in a bed of pinks. 

 Though clover and other blossoms were near by, 

 she passed methodically from pink to pink, and 

 naught tempted her to fickleness. That the bees 

 use pollen for bread, is a part of the bargain; for 

 the flowers grow it in plenty for both themselves and 

 their partners. 



Each species of "honey-plant" has developed its 

 own special device for securing the services of bees 

 to carry its pollen; and no study is more interesting 

 than the unravelling of these flower secrets. Even 

 the novice may do this by asking the flower these 

 three questions: *' Where is your nectar?" "Where 

 is your pollen?" "What is the path the bees must 

 follow to get to the nectar?" For ready and 

 accurate answers to such questions, the flowers are 

 not to be surpassed ; and if there is any doubtful point, 

 the bees are ready to help elucidate it. There are 

 so many flowers that have become the special part- 



