Flowers 
Nothing has hindered the development of our know- 
ledge of evolution so much as certain vaguenesses in 
the popular idea of the term “Selection.” Selection 
cannot be rightly described as a cause, any more than 
a locked gate across one path can be said to force 
a man to proceed along a different one. Neither a 
gardener, nor a plant-breeder, nor even an insect visitor 
can be said to produce any particular variety, but they 
can, and, in practice, do prevent a bad development 
from being perpetuated, and they also help forward 
any encouraging varieties which happen to make their 
appearance. 
Insects, weather, and the sensitive protoplasm itself, 
are all necessary to explain the origin of flowers. 
Neither insects alone, nor environment only, nor some 
inscrutable mutability or doubtful-mindedness of the 
plant itself can ever explain this mystery. Itis a three- 
fold influence that has been, and still is, for ever working 
out yet more exquisite gracefulness and lovelier colours 
than the world has ever seen. 
1 Steinbrinck and Schinz. 2 Worsdell. 8 Worsdell, Nicotra. 
* Schunck. 5 Kerekgyarto. § Buscalione e Traverso. 
7 Charabot. > Goebel. ® Willkomm. 
10 Winkler. 11 Detto, Giltay. 7? Ridley. 
13 Loew. 14 Loew, 4 Schulz. 
16 De Vries. 17 Chodat, 18 Shull. 
19 Vierhapper. 20 Correns. 21 Klebs, 
22 Detto. 23 ‘Wiesner. 
124 
