LIFE HISTORIES OF FAMILIAR PLANTS 



that the large petal used as a landing-stage was in 

 the primary arrangement of the flower the upper 

 petal ; as, however, it could not in that position 

 serve any useful purpose, by twisting round the 

 seed pod and bringing it to the lower level it 

 provided an excellent landing-stage for insects ; 

 thus it came to hold its present position. 



There is much work yet to be done on my 

 orchid plot, many features still remain that need 

 investigation ; but perhaps I have said enough to 

 make the thoughtful reader reflect that plants are 

 not quite the insentient organisms that we lordly 

 members of the human race sometimes consider 

 them to be. There is purpose in even the minutest 

 detail of their complex structures ; their intelli- 

 gence may be unconscious, but it is none the less 

 real on that account. 



[Note. — With reference to the theory broached in pp. 131 

 to 135, a correspondent from Ireland who has read this chapter 

 writes: " It occurred to me that, as we have no reptiles of any 

 sort here in Ireland, if the leaves bore no markings it would be 

 additional evidence in proof of your theory. I found plenty 

 of specimens of the plant and the leaves are unmarked, as you 

 will see by enclosed." How far this will prove correct I am 

 unable to foretell. Personally, I am inclined to think that 

 spotted specimens will be found in Ireland ; tubers or seeds 

 could readily be conveyed there. The specimens sent were the 

 correct species, and bore no spots or markings of any descrip- 

 tion.] 



142 



