THE CLOVER AND THE BEE: A Book of Pollination

Beautiful botanical drawings and exquisite full-color paintings of flowers and their pollinators enhance this discussion of a vital partnership between plants and animals. Honeybees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, bats, and birds are just some of the creatures that are attracted by nectar or pollen, benefiting the attractor by spreading the pollen necessary for the production of seeds. The detailed illustrations clearly show plant adaptations--e.g., nectar guides that help the fight pollinator find a particular species, or protective devices that repel an inappropriate invader. Dowden also describes odd devices such as trap flowers, fake nectaries, and firing pollinia. A fine introduction to a complex, fascinating topic. Index of plants and pollinators; subject index.