(CHAPTER I. 



FLOWER ECOLOGY. 



Few questions have attracted greater and more attention 

 than the adaption to secure cross fertilization. Aside from 

 the interest scientists taise in this question, it has a practical 

 bearing on horticultural and agricultural problems. When 

 we remember that horticulturists are turning their attention 

 to the improvement of our native fruits by cross fertilization 

 and hybridization, we must accord to this subject a prom- 

 inent place. 



Insects have played a very important part in rendering 

 tiowers attractive. It is well known that many plants can- 

 not produce seed unless any insect or some other agent con- 

 veys the pollen from anther to stigma. 



It is interesting to follow the history of this 

 phase of botany. It is now one hundred years 

 since the foundation of this study was laid. The keen 

 and sharp observer. Christian Conrad Sprengel, published 

 a remarkable book on the structure of flowers and their 

 relation to insects, although he made some observations as 

 early as 1787. In speaking of the hairs on the corolla of a 

 Geranium he says: "The wise Author of Nature would not 

 have created eren a hair in vain." Earlier than this Koel- 

 reuter saw the necessity of insect visitors to some flowers. 

 Sprengel surmised that these hairs served to protect the 

 honey from rain. This work was almost lost sight of till 

 the brilliant mind of Darwin saw the full import of Spren- 



