COLORS AND FRAGRANCE OF FLOWERS. 77 



fruit, though the purpose they serve be not so apparent 

 as that served by the stamens and pistils. As I have 

 already repeated, the nectaries are supplied with honey, 

 that the insects, attracted by it, while engaged in sip- 

 ping its sweets, should mix the pollen of the flower 

 upon those parts which require to be fertilized by the 

 dust. Could the work of fertilization be performed 

 without the agency of the insect, the honey would not 

 be placed there to tempt it to the blossom for purposes 

 that must be mischievous to the plant. Nature per- 

 forms no acts from mere wantonness ; every creation 

 has some design, though we may be unable to find it 

 out 



It may be objected against this theory, that although 

 it might apply very well to monoecious and dioecious 

 flowers, it seems altogether unnecessary for flowers that 

 have both stamens a,nd pistils. In the case of the 

 latter, it is averred, that the close proximity of the parts 

 must insure the fertilization of the seed. All this may 

 be granted without in the least derogatijig from the 

 necessity of the cooperation of insects. It is probable 

 that the same law holds among plants as among ani- 

 mals, and that breeding in and in would in the course 

 of time be fatal to any species. Nature has provided 

 against this emergency by attracting the insect to the 

 flower, who bears the pollen of one perfect flower, to 

 the stigma of another flower of the same species. 



As the season advances, the iasect tribes become 

 more and more numerous, while the numbers of flowers 

 are diminished. On this account they are more easily 

 discovered, and require the aid of their fragrance in a 

 less degree to attract and guide the insect to their cups. 

 Hence the autumnal and later summer flowers have 

 less fragrance than those of spring and the early summer. 



7* 



