BEE PASTURAGE. 
105 
distant ear, as is proved by different varieties mixing 
at some distance. But bow is it with our vines trail- 
ing on the earth, a. part of these flowers producing 
stamens, the other only pistils? Now it is absolutely 
essential that pollen from the staminate flowers shall 
be introduced into the pistillate to produce fruit; 
because if a failure occurs in this matter the germ 
will wither and die. Here we have the agent ready 
for our purpose ; these flowers are visited by the bee 
promiscuously ; no pollen (as was said) is kneaded 
into pellets, (particularly that from pumpkins,) but it 
adheres to every part of their body, rendering it next 
to impossible for a bee thus covered with dust to enter 
the pistillated flower without fulfilling the important 
duty designed, and leave a portion of the fertilizing 
dust in its proper place. Hence it is reasonably in- 
ferred by many, that if it was not for this agent among 
our vines, the uncertainty of a crop from non-fertili- 
zation would render the cultivation of them a useless 
task. 
When the aphis is located on the stalk or leaf of a 
plant it is furnished with means tO pierce the surface 
and extract the juices essential to the formation of 
the plant, thereby preventing vigorous growth and a 
full development. This idea is too apt to be associ- 
ated with the bee when she visits the flower, as if 
she was armed with a spear, to pierce bark or stem 
and rob it of its nourishment. Her real structure is 
lost sight of, or perhaps never known ; her slender 
brush-like tongue folded closely under her neck, and 
seldom seen except when in use, is not fitted to pierce 
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