THe Stolen Moccasins 51 



Another species of this genus, which is almost iden- 

 tical with the Tall Green Habenaria just mentioned, 

 differs from it by bearing fragrant white flowers not 

 adjusted for self-fertilization. This beautiful plant, 

 Habenarea dilatata, grows sparingly in the choice 

 haunts of the deeper Bogs of Ktchowog, seeking fre- 

 quently the pools near cold springs, and attracting nu- 

 merous flies and moths by its rich perfumes, which one 

 scents long before he discovers the flowers themselves. 



Darwin mentions ten self-fertilized species of orchids 

 for the whole world, and adds to that list ten more 

 which were partially so, in case the proper insects 

 failed to visit these plants in season. 



He again asserts: *' In my examination of orchids, 

 hardly any fact has struck me so much as the endless 

 diversities of the structure, — the prodigality of re- 

 sources, — for gaining the very same end, namely, the 

 fertilization of one flower by pollen from another plant. 

 This fact is to a large extent intelligible on the principle 

 of natural selection." ' 



Of the self- fertile species, Darwin remarks: " It de- 

 serves especial attention that the flowers of all self- fertile 

 species still retain various structures which, it is im- 

 possible to doubt, are not adapted for insuring cross- 

 fertilization, though they are now rarely or never 

 brought into play. We may therefore conclude that 

 all these plants are descended from species or varieties 

 which were formerly fertilized by insect aid." ^ 



* Darwin, Fertilization of Orchids, p. 284. 1895. 

 ^ Ibid., p. 291. 



