BEE PASTURAGE. 105 



distant ear, as is proved by different varieties mixing 

 at some distance. But how is it with our vines trail- 

 ing on the earth, a part of these flowers producing 

 stamens, the other only pistils ? Now it is absolutely 

 essential that pollen from the staminate flowers shall 

 be introduced into the pistillate to produce fruit ; 

 because if a failure occurs in this matter the germ 

 will wither and die. Here we have the agent ready 

 for our purpose ; these flowers are visited by the bee 

 promiscuously ; no pollen (as was said) is kneaded 

 into pellets, (particularly that from pumpkins,) but it 

 adheres to every part of their body, rendering it next 

 to impossible for a bee thus covered with dust to enter 

 the pistillated flower without fulfilling the important 

 duty designed, and leave a portion of the fertilizing 

 dust in its proper place. Hence it is reasonably in- 

 ferred by many, that if it was not for this agent among 

 our vines, the uncertainty of a crop from non-fertili- 

 zation would render the cultivation of them a useless 

 task. 



When the aphis is located on the stalk or leaf of a 

 plant it. is furnished with means to pierce the surface 

 and extract the juices essential to the formation of 

 the plant, thereby preventing vigorous growth and a 

 full development. This idea is too apt to be associ- 

 ated with the bee when she visits the flower, as if 

 she was armed with a spear, to pierce bark or stem 

 and rob it of its nourishment. Her real structure is 

 lost sight of, or perhaps never known; her slender 

 brush-like tongue folded closely under her neck, and 

 seldom seen except when in use, is not fitted to pierce 

 5* 



