44 Rhodora [Marcu 
the orchids outnumber in genera and species such successful families 
as the Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae and Compositae. Is 
it to be supposed that degeneracy, moribund constitution and malad- 
justment are just now apparent in the orchid family, or are just begin- 
ning to make themselves felt, and that the most highly differentiated 
concept of the monocotyledons, is on a biological toboggan slide 
headed for extinction as a penalty for having entered into partner- 
ship with a fungus? Surely, if number of genera and species, extra- 
ordinary modification of the flower for symbiosis with insects, and 
wide distribution are to be taken as criteria of biological success, 
then the orchids have been successful. I am not prepared to admit 
that orchid-insect symbiosis alone is the fundamental and definitive 
association that has influenced the evolution of the Orchidaceae and 
that orchid-fungus symbiosis is simply the result of combat in which 
orchids have nearly balanced matters and then degenerated. 
In the two species of our native orchids of which abundant proto- 
corm material has been available for investigations (I refer to Good- 
yera pubescens and Spiranthes cernua), I have sought in vain for 
protocorms that were free from endotrophic mycorrhiza. Both of 
these species are prolific in their production of seedlings. In fact I 
have come to the conclusion that Spiranthes cernua is dependent for 
persistence on numerous progeny. I believe it is a short-lived species 
and that its replenishment is accomplished by extraordinary fertility 
and a high degree of success in germination. It is a wide-spread 
species, adapts itself readily to different conditions of soil and climate, 
and crosses freely with Spiranthes gracilis. 
It is assumed that the orchids because of prodigality of seed pro- 
duction are low in organization. Darwin? was puzzled by the vast 
profusion of seeds produced by the orchids, because, as he put it: 
“the production of an almost infinite number of seeds or eggs, is un- 
doubtedly a sign of lowness of organization” and, as he went on to 
say: "that a plant, not being an annual, should escape extinction, 
chiefly by the production of a vast number of seeds or seedlings, shows 
a poverty of contrivances or a want of some fitting protection against 
other dangers." The profusion of orchid seeds has been very well 
6 The Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilized by Insects 2nd.rev. 277. 
