[C48]

Bees & Colour of Flowers

It has occurred to me, 3 or 4 times when I have uncovered flowers from their gauze net, Bees have come must, I think, have been attracted by sight.— Today (Sept 11 Bournemouth) I saw Yellow Bombus visiting many Spiranthes, which were thinly scattered on lawn, & Bee flew close to several white weeds, showing that at distance was attracted by white colour.— Yesterday I saw Hive-Bee visiting Calluna, repeatedly fly within inch or two, of Heath (like balls of wax) evidently attracted by nearly similar colour, & then pass on in search of Calluna, which it alone sucked.— Yet Humble-bees, disregarded colour on plants of Larkspur, which it knew & visited variously coloured vars.— Shows coloured flowers are of use.—

Dichogam