Other kinds of pollen were likewise detected in these same
flowers. A large number of the stigmas of a plant of Thyme, in which the
anthers were completely aborted, were examined; and these stigmas,
though scarcely larger than a split needle, were covered not only with
pollen of Thyme brought from other plants by the bees, but with several
other kinds of pollen.
That insects should visit the flowers of the same species as long as
they can, is of great importance to the plant, as it favours the
cross-fertilisation of distinct individuals of the same species; but no
one will suppose that insects act in this manner for the good of the
plant. The cause probably lies in insects being thus enabled to work
quicker; they have just learnt how to stand in the best position on the
flower, and how far and in what direction to insert their proboscides.
(11/6. Since these remarks were written, I find that Hermann Muller has
come to almost exactly the same conclusion with respect to the cause of
insects frequenting as long as they can the flowers of the same species:
'Bienen Zeitung' July 1876 page 182.) They act on the same principle as
does an artificer who has to make half-a-dozen engines, and who saves
time by making consecutively each wheel and part for all of them.
Insects, or at least bees, seem much influenced by habit in all their
manifold operations; and we shall presently see that this holds good in
their felonious practice of biting holes through the corolla.
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