156 On Plants and Insects. 



But even in those instances in which it is not abso- 

 lutely necessary, it is an advantage that the flowers 

 should be fertilised by pollen brought from a dif- 

 ferent stock, and with this object in view, insects are 

 tempted to visit flowers for the sake of the honey 

 and pollen ; while the colours and scents are useful 

 in making the flowers more easy to find. 



2. Fortunately Tor us, bees like the same odours 

 as we do ; and as the great majority of flowers are 

 adapted for bees, they are consequently sweet ; but 

 it might have been otherwise, for flies prefer un- 

 pleasant smells, such as those of decaying meat, 

 and other animal substances on which they live as 

 larvae, and some flowers, consequently, which are 

 fertilised by them, are characterised by very evil 

 odours. Colours also are affected in the same 

 manner, for while bee-flowers (if I may coin such 

 an expression) have generally bright, clear colours, 

 fly-flowers are usually reddish or yellowish brown. 



The real use of honey now seems so obvious that 

 it is curious to read the various theories which were 

 once entertained on the subject. 



Sprengel was the first to point out the real office 

 of honey, but his views were far from meeting with 

 general assent, and, even as lately as 1833, were 

 altogether rejected by some naturalists. 



3. No doubt, however, seems any longer to exist 

 that Sprengel's view is right ; and that the true 

 function of honey is to attract insects, and thus to 

 secure cross-fertilisation. Thus, most of the Rose 



