384 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



forms of the flo\ver are all aids in perfecting the seeds and 

 fruit, though the purpose they serve be not so apparent as 

 that served by the stamens and pistils. As I have already 

 repeated, the nectaries are supplied with honey, that the in- 

 sects, attracted by it, while engaged in sipping its sweets, 

 should mix the pollen of the flower upon those parts which 

 require to be fertilized by the dust. Could the work of fer- 

 tilization be performed without the agency of the insect, the 

 honey would not be placed there to tempt it to the blossom 

 for purposes that must be mischievous to the plant. Nature 

 performs no acts from mere wantonness ; every creation has 

 some design though we may be unable to find it out. 



It may be objected against this theory, that although it 

 might apply very well to monascious and dioecious flowers, it 

 seems altogether unnecessary for flowers that have both sta- 

 mens and pistils. In the case of the latter, it is averred, that 

 the close proximity of the parts must insure the fertilization 

 of the seed. All this may be granted without in the least 

 derogating from the necessity of the cooperation of insects. 

 It is probable that the same law holds among plants as among 

 animals, and that breeding in and in would in the course 

 of time be fatal to any species. Nature has provided against 

 this emergency by attracting the insect to the flower, who 

 bears the pollen of one perfect flower to the stigma of another 

 flower of the same species. 



As the season advances, the insect tribes become more and 

 more numerous, while the numbers of flowers are diminished. 

 On this account they are more easily discovered, and require 

 the aid of their fragrance in a less degree to attract and guide 

 the insect to their cups. Hence the autumnal and later sum- 

 mer flowers have less fragrance than those of spring and the 

 early summer. But after the autumn has reduced the num- 

 bers of the honey-sipping insects, it might be expected that 

 the flowers should again become sweet-scented as in spring. 

 I have observed this to be true of some few species, as of the 

 inconspicuous spiral stems of the neottia. In the autumn, 

 when those insects abound that consume the foliage of plants, 

 as the grasshopper tribe, many plants are defended from their 



