PREFACE 



''Blossom Hosts and Insect Guests" is an 

 exposition of the method by which flowers are 

 fertilized, a subject which Mr. Gibson was the first 

 American to investigate, his patient study resulting 

 in many valuable contributions to scientific knowl- 

 edge in this direction. 



''No one knew more of flowers, shrubs, trees and 

 insects or of the special haunts and homes of all of 

 them, and even readers to whom botany is a sealed 

 book may follow him into the fields and woods and 

 marshes with a full certainty of being charmed and 

 enlightened in unexpected ways. He was his own 

 teacher in what was best, and those who have the 

 task of training amateur naturalists should see well 

 to it that they catch, if they can, the secret of his 

 success." 



He not only ranked high as a scientist, but 

 undoubtedly stood at the head of the artist-writers 

 of our country, " his graceful, poetical prose being 

 nearly of equal value with his fine and delicate draw- 

 ings. His style is full of glowing freshness. His 



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7 '^^'^S^u^. 



