101 



(). The same s[)ecies of insects are the principal fertilizers 

 of flowers of totally different colors ; as bees in jSIelUotus 

 aJba, and Liguslrum, privet, both white ; Bapiisia lincloria 

 and Impalienf< fulva, both yellow; Trifolium and Veronica, 

 both purple l)ut of different grades ; jSaUx and Pteh'a, both 

 green. 



In the Spring, the same bees being almost the only insects 

 in motion, visit one color of Crocus just as readily as an- 

 other, and honey bees visit the wholly green, pistillate 

 willow as promptly as the bright-flowered Crocus. 



If it were urged that these divers colors have not changed 

 because they have never shown any tendency to change, 

 then it should be allowed that the larger portion of our 

 Flora is not at all affected as to color by insects ! 



7. Flowers change color in spite of their visiting insects. 

 The same bees visit the same flowers, continuing in the 

 same pathways to the nectaries, tracing thereby permanent 

 guiding lines made of the original color, which said bees 

 were supposed to especially fancy, but, while the guides 

 remain, and the bees continue as ])efore, the remaining 

 portion of the corolla changes to a strongly contrasting hue. 

 The bee selected nothing, hi.') remonstrances, if any, were 

 in vain, the flower for good and sufficient reasons just 

 simply changed color, and if he did not like it he could 

 leave it ! 



8. There is collateral evidence that color does not result 

 from insect or animal selection in the color of spathes, 

 involucres, sepals, and many pretty winter buds which 

 have no nectar nor odor and yet are found of every hue, in 

 numerous instances totally unlike that of the petals. In 

 such cases two different kinds of insects would be neces- 

 sary to accomi)lish the variegation ; are they each compet- 

 ing for the ascendancy, or one trying to confuse the other? 

 True foliage likewise changes color, as from red or pur})le 

 to green, or from green to yellow, red or [)urplc. Insects 

 ol)viou8ly are not concerned in these color changes, nor are 



