350 



^necfo'"^ 



Flower of Thecostele serunda in section : 

 1 side lobe of the lip ; 2 interlocking lobe 

 of the column: 3, ciest of the lip. 



Ou cither side of the central groove, between the crest of 

 the lip and the bracket-like side lobes, are other grooves into 

 which dovetail the side arms of the column. The lip is free to 

 move up and down on its hinge ; but if the visiting insect should 

 give a lateral thrust to it, the crests and side lobes engage the side 

 arms of the column and prevent displacement. The insect is thus 

 kept in the middle line with its head immediately under the sexual 

 organs, where only it can ])e of use to the flower in effecting 

 pollination. 



In the ])lack and white drawing the Ijlack parts of the flower 

 are either deep magenta or claret, the light parts pale green. 



Thecostele maculosa, Eidl. 



X2,. 



Flower of Thecostele maculosa 

 X 2. from in front. 



Thecostele maculosa, Eidl. (Collal)ium Wrayi, Hool\ /.) 

 recently flowered in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, and a figure 

 of it is here given in black and white, to correct impressions gained 

 from that in the Icones Plantarum, 4th series, I., 1892, t. 2065, 

 and also on account of certain ways in which the colour is not as 

 descril)ed. 



The colour of the flowers is maroon and white, the latter pass- 

 ing to a dull yellow at the base of the sepals and petals. The 



