PLATE XVI. 
which glue themselves on to the heads or probosci of different kinds 
of insects visiting the flowers. We have here a capital example of 
one of the infinitely varied contrivances by which the pollen-masses, 
when fastened securely upon some unlucky insect, assume the best 
direction and position for entering the stigmatic-cavity. By reference 
to fig. 1, it will be seen how very narrow the stigmatic-cavity is, but 
that the guiding-plates form a smooth two-walled trough in which the 
pollen-masses may slide without fail against the stigma, Again, if 
the pollen-masses were to remain in the position shown at fig. 2, they 
would both be too wide apart to enter the stigmatic-cavity, and be 
turned away from it. By a wonderful power connected with the con- 
traction of the gland, these pollen-masses are drawn together as they 
descend, always moving in the right direction, and not only overcoming 
their natural weight, but also traversing two planes. The little insect 
drawn at fig. 4 was taken by me within the helmet of Serapias 
cordigera, having left grains of yellow pollen from the masses on its 
head on the stigma of that flower; the strange pollen being easily 
distinguished as belonging to Serapias lingua by its yellow colour. I 
do not feel sure of the complete distinctness of S. cordigera as a 
species ; at any rate, there are many links formed by hybridisation 
which may lead one to doubt what characters are most peculiar to 
it. Parlatore makes a species of 8. neglecta, while there are some who 
would unite 8. cordigera and S. longipetala. I hope to gather more 
facts on this most interesting genus, which I may relate in Part II. 
of the present volume, when I figure two other species of Serapias. 
These plants abound at Mentone, cuming into flower about the end of 
April. The specimen figured was gathered on Montegrosso, May 11th. 
