268 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



pollen. Dr. Darwin has indicated in his books, and 

 especially in that on the fertilisation of the orchids, 

 how various modifications in the form and structure 

 of flowers are related to the functions they hav^e 

 to perform. He considers that all the so-called 

 *' eccentricities " of form in the floral envelopes arc 

 useful, or necessary, to the plant. Some very strik- 

 ing illustrations might be adduced in support of this 

 view, which it would be difficult to controvert. It is 

 much more reasonable to assume that the strange 

 forms sometimes met with are designed to overcome 

 some difificulty, or attain some definite purpose, than 

 to regard them as mere vagaries, or freaks of nature, 

 indulged in by chance, or out of mere sportiveness. 



There are no plants which can compete successfully 

 with the orchids for singularity of form. They have 

 been termed the " monkeys of the vegetable world," 

 and not a very happy designation, for monkeys do not 

 assume fantastic forms, although they may perform 

 fantastic tricks. Some of these plants grow on the 

 ground in the usual manner, others are parasitic on 

 living trees, the most luxuriant and singular are 

 natives of tropical countries. The lower petal, or 

 labellum in particular, is liable to endless variation. 

 In some cases it is slipper-like in form, in others 

 trumpet shaped. Here and there the entire flower 

 resembles an insect, sometimes to such a degree as to 

 have originated a popular name, as suggestive of the 



