THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XL VI 



bees found the blue slide. At 12 -AO there were eight bees 

 on the blue slide, but not one had found the honey on the 

 dandelion leaf. Five minutes later there was one bee on 

 the leaf. 



If bees are guided by odor exclusively in their search 

 for nectar, and contrast in color with green foliage is no 

 advantage to flowers, then it would seem as though they 

 should find a quantity of free honey as readily as when it 

 is associated with bright coloration. About thirty Italian 

 bees were accustomed to visit the gray-colored board, or 

 feeder, which, as previously stated, rested upon a support 

 two feet high. Six feet from this support and six feet 

 apart, the three forming an equilateral triangle, were 

 placed two poles each 44 feet high. On top of one of the 

 poles was placed a quantity of honey so large that it ran 

 down on the side, and was visible at a distance of twenty 

 feet. To the top of the other pole was attached a cluster 

 of yellow "immortelles" (Helichrysum bracteatum) 

 gathered many years ago, and which appeared to be 

 absolutely devoid of scent. Each of the flowers was about 

 34 inches in diameter and the cluster was 3 inches long 

 by three inches wide. At 11 :10 a.m., the bees were per- 

 mitted to consume all the honey on the feeding board. In 

 three minutes there were three bees and one fly on the 

 flowers, but no insects had found the free honey. In five 

 minutes there were four bees and one fly on the flowers, 

 and one bee on the free honey. At 11 :20 the latter bee 

 left for the hive and five minutes later returned ; a second 

 bee also alighted on the side of the pole and began suck- 

 ing the honey which had run down from above; two flies, 

 apparently house flies, also came. At the same time there 

 were six Italian bees on the flowers. At 11 :30 a. m v there 

 were six Italian bees and one fly on the flowers, but only 

 one bee on the free honey. The flowers not only attracted 

 the bees earlier than the free honey, but three times as 

 many of them. 



I now transposed the poles. But to the top of the pole 

 on which there had previously been the supply of free 



