ON THE FERTILIZATION OF CATTLEYA LABIATA. 395 
Fig. 4. The same, in section. R. Rostellum ; P. Pollinia. 
5. The same at a later stage, the pollinia having become recurved into the 
stigma. 
6. A later stage. The stelidia have curved over so as to overlap and press 
the pollinia into the stigma. 
7. The same, side view. 
8. The same stage, in section. GZ. Disc of pollinia. . 
9. Later stage. The pollen is now entirely plunged in the stigma and is 
almost absorbed. 
10, Flower of (Eceoclades maculata, Lindl., from the side; nat. size. 
11. The same, with the petals and sepals removed ; enlarged. 
12. Column, showing the pollinia falling forward. 
13. Front view of column, with the pollinia still hanging from the clinan- 
drium by the disc, but in contact with the stigma. 
14. Pollinia, enlarged. 
On the Fertilization of Cattleya lafiata, var. Mossie, Lindl. 
By Harry James Verton, F.L.S. 
[Read 2nd February, 1888.] 
Ever since Darwin conclusively showed how the pollinia of 
certain orchids were conveyed to the stigmatic surface by insect 
agency, the subject of orchid-fertilization has been of special 
and even growing interest, not only to science through its further 
elucidation by the discovery of many new and interesting facts, 
but also to horticulture as serving to explain, at least in part, 
how it is that so many anomalous forms having the appear- 
ance of hybrids have made their way into European gardens. 
But while the observations of Darwin and those who followed 
him in the same track have been directed chiefly to the simple 
act of pollination by insect agency, the investigation of the pro- 
cess that follows appears to have received but a limited amoun 
of attention. With the view, therefore, of adding, if possible, 
Somewhat to the small stock of information already possessed, and 
also of deducing therefrom some practical results that may help 
to guide the operations of the hybridist, I and my assistant, wit 
the aid of an able draughtsman, were induced to undertake the 
series of observations I am now about to bring under the Society’s 
Notice. Our purpose was to note the progress of the pod 
tubes during their course through the conducting-tissues of the 
column into the ovary; to detect, if possible, the act of fertiliza- 
