236 IRREGULAR PELORIA. 



therefore to a certain extent in a rudimentary state ; 

 the pistil is curved towards the perfect nectary, and 

 the hood formed of the inner petals slips off the pistil 



Fig. 124. Two-spurred flowers of Corydalis. 



1 



Fig. 125. Section through two-spurred flowers of Corydalis. Magnified. 



and stamens in one direction alone, so that when a bee 

 sucks the perfect nectary the stigma and stamens are 

 exposed and rubbed against the insect's body. In 

 several closely allied genera, as in Dlehjira, there are 

 two perfect nectaries ; the pistil is straight, and the 

 hood slips off on either side, according as the bee sucks 

 either nectary." In the flowers of Corydalis, which 

 were provided with two perfect nectaries containing 

 nectar, Mr. Darwin considers that there has been a 

 redevelopment of a partially aborted organ, accom- 

 panied by a change in the direction of the pistil, which 

 becomes straight, while the hood formed by the petals 

 slips off in either direction, " so that these flowers 

 have acquired the perfect structure, so well adapted 

 for insect agency, of Dielytra and its alUes." 



Peloria, then, is especially interesting physiologically 

 as well as morphologically ; it is also of value in a 

 systematic point of view, as showing how closely the 



