242 LETTERS TO MARCO xxxv 



arguments. I alluded to the apparently un- 

 accountable fertilisation of the fig and the 

 butcher's broom in a former letter : there are 

 no attractions of gaudy bloom or honey here 

 to draw the bees or flies. And as to the 

 colour and beauty of flowers being intended 

 to serve for the perpetuation of the species, 

 how is it that the ivy, white clover, migno- 

 nette, and a host of other inconspicuous flowers 

 draw more bees and flies round them than 

 many brighter and showily coloured plants 

 do. I do not believe the beauty of the plant 

 has much to do with it ; for bees and flies, 

 unless I have been misinformed, have exceed- 

 ingly short sights, their eyes being made with 

 great magnifying power and adapted solely 

 for close-inspection work. It seems to me, 

 they must be guided by their scent instinct, 

 whatever that may be : the same instinct 

 that leads them to the flowers teaches them 

 the way back to their hives. What I want 

 to fight for is the beauty of the flower. I do 

 not want to have any use attached to it, 



