MBJC PAST (.IRAQ E. 
103 
The flowers expand, and a set of vessels pour into the 
cup or nectary a minute portion of honey. I am not 
aware that any one contends that the plant has 
another set of vessels prepared to again absorb this 
• honey and convert it into grain. But strong testi- 
mony proves very plainly that it never again enters 
the stalk or flower, but evaporates like water. We 
all know that animal matter when putrid will be dis- 
solved into particles small enough to float in the 
atmosphere, too minute for the naked eye. When 
passing off in this way this real flesh and blood would 
escape notice perhaps altogether, and never be detect- 
ed, were it not for the olfactories, which on some 
occasions notify us of its presence very forcibly. In 
passing a field of buckwheat in bloom, by the same 
means we are assured of the presence of honey in the 
air. Now what is the difference whether this honey 
passes off in the air, or is collected by the bees ? If 
any difference, the advantage appears to be in favor 
of the bees getting it, for the reason that it thus 
answers another important end in the economy of 
nature, consistent with her provisions in ten thousand 
different ways of adapting means to ends. Most 
breeders of domestic animals are aware of the deterio- 
rating qualities induced by in-and-in breeding; a 
change of breed is found necessary for perfection, &c. 
ARE NOT BEES AN ADVANTAGE TO VEGETATION ? 
Vegetable physiology seems to indicate a similar 
necessity in that department. The stamens and pistils 
of flowers answer the different organs of the two sexes 
