ANNUAL MEETING 
123 
scent acts in the same way, and the honey gives the insects a 
definite inducement for their visits. 
I think it is obvious that an}' blossom which differs from the 
form and size best adopted to secure the due transference of the 
pollen would be less likely to be fertilised than others ; while 
on the other hand, those richest in honey, sweetest and most 
conspicuous, would most surely attract the attention and secure 
the visits of insects ; and thus, just as our gardeners, by selecting 
seed from the most beautiful varieties, have done so much to 
adorn our gardens, so have insects, by fertilising the largest and 
most brilliant flowers, contributed unconsciously, but not less 
effectually, to the beauty of our woods and fields. 
Let us take some familiar flower and see if we can suggest 
explanations for the colour, form, and structure. 
The flower of the common white deadnettle consists of a 
narrow tube, somewhat expanded at the upper end, where the 
lower lobe of the corolla forms a platform, on each side of which 
is a small projecting tooth. The upper portion of the corolla is 
an arched hood, under which lie four anthers in pairs, while 
between them, and projecting somewhat downwards, is the 
pointed pistil. At the lower part, the tube contains honey, and 
above the honey is a row of hairs almost closing the tube. 
Now, why has the flower this peculiar form ? What regulates 
the length of the tube ? What is the use of the arch ? What 
lessons do these lobes teach us ? What advantage is the honey 
to the flower ? Of what use is the fringe of hairs ? Why does 
the stigma project beyond the anthers ? and why is the corolla 
white while the rest of the plant is green ? Some of these points 
are so familiar that it seems absurd to ask the questions. 
The answers, I believe, are as follows. In the first place, 
the honey attracts insects. If there were no honey, they would 
have no object in visiting the flower. The bright colour is 
useful in rendering the flowers conspicuous. The platform 
serves as an alighting stage for insects. The length of the tube 
has reference to that of their proboscis, and prevents the smaller 
species from obtaining access to the honey without fertilising it. 
The upper arch of the flower protects the stamens and pistil, 
and also presses them firmly against the back of the bee ; so 
that, when she alights on the stage and pushes her proboscis 
down to the honey, her back comes into contact with the pollen. 
The row of small hairs at the bottom of the tube prevents small 
insects from creeping down the tube and stealing the honey. 
Lastly, the small processes on each side of the lower lip are the 
rudimentary representatives of two petals, formerly more largely 
developed, but which, having become useless, have almost dis- 
appeared. Hence we see that every particular and detail in 
the flower has its own purpose and function. 
In some cases plants act almost as if they possessed intel- 
ligence. We all know how difficult it is to catch a fly. But 
the sundew lives on them. Various other plants feed on insects. 
