The Pollination of the Primrose

Abstract

IT appears that in a previous note on this subject (NATURE, June 17, p. 457) clearness may have been sacrificed to brevity. It is not meant that humming-bird and bee hawk-moths can be regarded as usual or frequent agents in the pollination of the primrose. They are mentioned in proof that some moths do, now and then, visit the flowers, and may presumably aid in their cross-pollination. There can be little doubt, however, that the humble-bee is herein the chief agent, and in this district, I should say, more particularly Bombus hortorum.