294 



BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



awaiting another visit ; and the bee applies, almost 

 as quickly, the pollen she carries, to the receptive 

 stigma of the next bell. How clear it is, that some 

 correlation in size between bee and flower is needed ! 

 Tiny insects might creep into the bell, and, passing 

 up its sides, secure its nectar, without touching the 

 anther appendages ; but if they did, they would not 

 be dusted, the pollen would be but wasted, and, worse, 

 the nectar would be gone, and the bee would not be 

 encouraged. A singular device prevents this : the 

 plant, especially about the flower stalks, bracts, and 

 calyx, is covered by glandular hairs, or trichomes (h, 

 A, and gh, D), which constantly yield a viscid body, 

 that would stick fast the little thieves if they ventured 

 to attempt to make themselves guests without an in- 

 vitation. These clammy hairs, however, trouble not 

 the bee : she grasps the glossy bell with her legs, 

 and does not touch the calyx. Her weight but 

 makes the position of the flow T er the better for the 

 proper placing of the pollen. In the calluna (the 

 ling), the flowers are more horizontal, and the style 

 curves upwards, so that the bee's tongue is inserted 

 beneath it ; but the whole plan of action is similar 

 to that occurring in Erica Tetralix or E. cinerea. The 

 sticky hairs, however, are not present, while both the 

 latter species possess them — and why? The mouth of 

 the blossom is so small that it is its own protection. 

 The window need not be shut if its opening is 

 covered by narrow bars, and Nature does not waste 

 force in defending that which needs no defender. 



I was greatly pleased, some time since, in studying 

 the blossom of the Arbutus Unedo (strawberry tree) 



