IN THE FLOWER GARDEN 



WHY FLOWEES HAVE PEKFUME 



Most readers are probably aware that accord- 

 ing to accepted theory the perfume of flowers in 

 general has been developed through natural se- 

 lection as an aid in attracting insects, on which 

 the plant depends for cross-fertilization. We 

 human beings have come to enjoy the fragrance of 

 the rose and the apple blossom, and we are some- 

 times egotistical enough to suppose that these 

 perfumes were developed for our delectation. 



But the botanist assures us that, so far as the 

 wild flowers are concerned, man's tastes were not 

 in the least consulted in the development of either 

 color or fragrance. 



The development of scented and beautiful flow- 

 ers was the work of sundry insects, of which the 

 bee is most important. The colored petals of the 

 flower and the perfume that it exhales are adver- 

 tisements addressed to the bee, intended to guide 

 him to the nectary within the tube of the flower, 

 in approaching which the insect will unconsciously 

 come in contact with the pollen-bearing stamens, 

 and in due course transfer the pollen from one 

 flower to another. 



When, therefore, we find a flower like the calla 

 that is devoid of fragrance, we may feel pretty 

 certain that this flower is not habitually fertilized 

 by the bee, but depends upon some other agency. 



In the case of the calla, the agents that effect 

 cross-fertilization are sundry small gnats and 

 flies that find the tubular canopy a welcome shelter 



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