BEE PASTURAGE. 
105 
distant ear, as is proved by different varieties mixing 
at some distance. But how 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 iu 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 
5 * 
