(fcarlren's 



are intended for fertilization by various small 

 flies are generally white, those which are de- 

 signed to attract beetles are usually yellow, and 

 those which depend upon bees and butterflies 

 are almost always red, lilac, purple, or blue. 

 Blue flowers, Prof. Allen observes, are, as a rule, 

 specialized for fertilization by bees, and bees 

 therefore prefer this color, while conversely the 

 flowers have at the same time become blue be- 

 cause that was the color which the bees prefer. 

 As in most other cases, the adaptation must have 

 gone on part passu on both sides. As the bee- 

 flowers grew bluer, the bees must have grown 

 fonder and fonder of blue; and as they grew 

 fonder of blue, they must have more and more 

 constantly preferred the bluest flowers.* 



A singular preference of the large bumble- 

 bee (Xylocarpa Virginicd) has come under my 

 notice in the case of the big bee-larkspur (Del- 

 phinium Wheelerii}. One of the most robust 

 and large-spiked varieties, I should not recom- 

 mend it for the flower-border, both its small 

 flower and peculiar color being less pleasing 

 than numerous other varieties. It is growing 

 side by side with handsomer and equally con- 

 spicuous kinds, and I should have discarded it 



* Cornhill Magazine, " The Colors of Flowers." 



