edible tissues, because when the males of Scolia ciliata 
enter a flower the suctorial apparatus is not used and the 
proboscis of the insect does not come in sustained con- 
tact with any part of the labellum of the orchid. The in- 
sect assumes a position lengthwise of the labellum with 
the head directed toward the column, just beneath the 
rostellum, and inserts the tip of the abdomen among the 
reddish yellow or maroon colored hairs that form a fringe 
near the apex of the labellum. While in this position, 
peculiar movements of the insect’s body take place; the 
pollinia of the orchid are dislodged and are affixed to the 
insect’s head. After the usual hygrometric behavior of 
the pollinia the pollen masses are ina position for coming 
in contact with the stigmas of the next flower visited. 
Pouyanne observed the action of the insect after the tip 
of the abdomen had been inserted among the hairs of the 
labellum and described it as follows: ‘*Le bout de l’ab- 
domen est alors agité, contre ces poils, de mouvements 
désordonnés, presque convulsifs, et Vinsecte tout entier 
se trémousse: ses mouvements, son attitude paraissent 
tout a fait semblables 4 ceux des insectes qui pratiquent 
des tentatives de copulation. ”’ 
Seeking to explain the behavior of the males of Scolia 
ciliata, Pouyanne conducted a series of experiments that 
might prove enlightening. He cut off the labellum of 
some of the flowers, leaving the sepals, petals and column 
intact. Flowers so mutilated were neglected; the insects 
became quite indifferent to them. If single flowers were 
taken from a raceme and placed on the ground, they were 
immediately approached. But when the separate flowers 
were inverted with only the under side of the labellum 
exposed, the insects still came to them, yet with lessened 
interest. If a bouquet of flowers was held in the hand, 
the males of Scolia ciliata came to it in numbers, contend- 
ing with each other for the possession of a labellum. If, 
[6] 
