148 THE GARDEN OF EARTH 



pollen are still kept separate in the cells ; while in another 

 dii ection we are informed that all the care of the bees is 

 useless, since the different kinds of pollen are packed 

 indiscriminately together in the cells. 



A suggestion may perhaps be hazarded here that bees, 

 or rather communities of bees, may not all follow the same 

 plans. Some possibly may act in one way; some in 

 another. It would be interesting to know if any evidence 

 could be found of this. 



In an earlier chapter something was said about the 

 beauty of flowers, and the reasons why they may have 

 been made so beautiful. Of one reason we need feel no 

 real doubts ; which is, that they might bring gladness and 

 joy to us who live on the Earth. 



But another and a very important reason, if not for 

 their actual loveliness, yet certainly for their gay colour- 

 ing, is that they may draw the attention of insects. If 

 no insects came to visit them, we should have a sad dearth 

 of pollen where it may be most urgently needed. 



Though we can hardly suppose that insects love 

 beautiful things as we do, simply for their loveliness, 

 they are no doubt attracted by bright tints. Some of 

 them are believed to possess what is called a " colour- 

 sense." In other words, they seem to know blue from 

 yellow, pink from green. More than this, they even 

 show signs of preferring one colour and disliking 

 another. 



It is said that a honey-bee loves a deep violet-blue, 

 and has no objection to green or yellow, while she shows 

 a marked avoidance of scarlet or orange-red. Whether 

 any feeling of actual distaste is in question cannot be 



