ORCHID FAMILY 



beneath which the spreading white lip is prolonged 

 into a blunt spur. The flower-stem is noticeably 

 twisted and the roots are fleshy-fibred. 



The domestic economy of the orchid differs so greatly 

 from that of other flowers that with other flowers in 



Showy Orchis. Orchis specidbilis 



mind one is puzzled at first to understand what the 

 orchid is doing. Ordinary flowers bear their pollen 

 at the summit of their stamens with a view of powder- 

 ing anything winged within reach. But the orchid 

 hides its pollen in two long, deep pockets which bota- 

 nists regard as one great double anther, and instead of 

 being loose so as to scatter easily it is tied into lumps 

 by elastic cords, so the messenger who carries must 

 take all or none. Other flowers place their stigmas 



48 



