The number of humble-bees in any district depends in a…
“The number of humble-bees in any district depends in a great degree on the number of field-mice, which destroy their combs and nests; and Mr. H. Newman, who has long attended to the habits of humble-bees, ... says "Near villages and small towns I have found the nests of humble-bees more numerous than elsewhere, which I attribute to the number of cats that destroy the mice." Hence it is quite credible that the presence of a feline animal in large numbers in a district might determine, through the intervention first of mice and then of bees, the frequency of certain flowers in that district!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Darwin suggests that the abundance of bees is indirectly linked to cat populations because cats reduce mice that destroy bee nests, influencing flower frequency.
In simple terms: Cats reduce mice, which helps bees, affecting flowers.
Key Takeaway
Consider predator‑prey‑plant chains.
Themes
ecology
interdependence
food webs
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
scientific
observational
When to use this quote
- agricultural planning
- conservation
- urban gardening
- pollinator management
Key Concepts
trophic cascades
ecosystem dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How might changing cat numbers alter local ecosystems?
- What other predators affect pollinators?
A Different Perspective
Other factors like climate and habitat loss also affect bee populations.