348 LUTHER BURBANK 



hive to orchard and back again prepares us to 

 accept this statement at its full valuation. 



There must even arise a question as to whether 

 the insect's equipment of "chemical irritability," 

 or whatever it may be called, does not amount to 

 the possession of a sixth sense. 



AIDING THE BEE 



We have instanced over and over the vital 

 importance of the process of cross-fertilization 

 which the bee accomplishes for the flower. 



It may be of interest to cite a few familiar illus- 

 trative instances of devices adopted by certain 

 familiar flowers to make the services of the bee 

 surer and more effective. Inasmuch as the bee 

 has no conscious share in the plant's solicitude 

 to effect cross-fertilization, it has been found 

 expedient on the part of many flowers to adjust 

 the arrangement of stamens and pistils in such a 

 way that the visiting insect shall surely receive a 

 modicum of pollen, yet cannot rub this pollen 

 against the stigma of the same flower. 



Some illustrations of what might be called 

 extreme measures to prevent such inadvertent 

 self-fertilization were given earlier in the present 

 chapter. Let us note a few additional instances, 

 with reference in particular to flowers that are 

 largely pollinated by the bee. 



