408 AGENCY OF INSECTS IN FERTILIZING PLANTS. 
The fact once well established, that insects are neces- 
sary to fertilize plants, brings up some other interesting 
inquiries in reference to the origin of animals and plants. 
Some would probably say that plants, which now require 
the agency of insects, have arrived at their present form 
by a long series of gradual changes, and that before the - 
proper insects were created they were capable of self- 
fertilization. Others may say that the plants of this 
structure were created later than those capable of self- 
propagation, and upon which the insects could subsist for 
atime. Another plan can, however, be devised, as they 
are alike useful to each other. “As the bow unto the cord 
is,” they may have been called into existence at the same 
time, the flowers to secrete nectar for the insects, and the 
insects to fertilize the flowers. 
Were Dr. Watts again alive, and should some one tell 
him these facts of science, he might well exclaim, as the 
Queen of Sheba did ‘to King Salaah, ‘Behold the half 
was not told me.” He gave us but half the story, and 
that the one which teaches the least instructive lesson. 
It is now over two years since some one, I "a I knew 
his name, rung the change, — 
“ How doth the little busy bee, 
Impro ve each shining hour, 
By carrying ae day ed day, 
To fertilize eac 
The bees go buzzing through the air visiting flower after 
flower, not only to get their daily bread, but render an 
essential aid in perpetuating the existence of the very 
same plants which furnish them food. 
This furnishes another pertinent illustration of the 
mutual dependence of the animal and vegetable king- 
doms 
