BEE PASTUBAGB. 103 



The flowers expand, and a set of vessels pour into the 

 cup or nectary a minute portion of honey. I am not 

 aware that any one contends that the plant has 

 another set of vessels prepared to again absorb this 

 honey and convert it into grain. But strong testi- 

 mony proves very plainly that it never again enters 

 the stalk or flower, but evaporates like water. We 

 all know that animal matter when putrid will be dis- 

 solved into particles small enough to float in the 

 atmosphere, too minute for the naked eye. When 

 passing off in this way this real flesh and blood would 

 escape notice perhaps altogether, and never be detect- 

 ed, were it not for the olfactories, which on some 

 occasions notify us of its presence very forcibly. In 

 passing a field of buckwheat in bloom, by the same 

 means we are assured of the presence of- honey in the 

 air. Now what is the difference whether this honey 

 passes off in the air, or is collected by the bees ? If 

 any difference, the advantage appears to be in favor 

 of the bees, getting it, for the reason that it thus 

 answers another important end in the economy of 

 nature, consis.tent with her provisions in ten thousand 

 different ways of adapting means to ends. Most 

 breedejs of domestic animals are aware of the deterio- 

 rating qualities induced by in-and-in breeding; a 

 change of breed is found necessary for perfection, &c. 



AEE NOT BBE& AS ADVANTAGE 10 VEGETATION '( 



Vegetable physiology seems to indicate a similar 

 necessity in that department. The stamens and pistils 

 of flowers answer the different organs of the two sexes 



