INTRODUCTION 7 



This theory of Sprengel's was built upon the dis- 

 coveries of Grew and Linngeus, but went much 

 farther to explain the "sweet reasonableness" of 

 the flowers. It was a great advance in that it ex- 

 plained the purpose of these lures of the flowers 

 which make them so much beloved by man and bee. 

 The accompanying sketch, a section of a flower, 

 shows us how Sprengel conceived 

 the work of the bee was performed. 

 We see a bumblebee in the act of 

 seeking honey, and unintentionally 

 rubbing the pollen off the anthers 

 and bearing it to the stigma. 

 Thus was I taught in our home- insect fertili- 

 garden to understand the work of Theory ^/''spreogei, 

 the bees, and I believe many ^'^^'^ 



people still understand it so. 



Sprengel's theory was a new and startling one 

 based upon countless observations and experiments 

 — a very beautiful theory which explained the mys- 

 terious purpose of the lure of the flowers. It at- 

 tracted much attention, aroused much discussion 

 among savants, but was finally doomed to oblivion 

 and its discoverer to disappointment and chagrin. 

 He had penetrated only half the mystery and dis- 

 cerned only half the truth. 



The theory explained the action of many insects 

 and flowers, but yet many cases were found to 



