METHODS OF POLLINATION 



179 



Fig. 138. 

 Cypripedium. 



this. One species of the lady-slipper (Cypripedium) is shown 

 in fig. 138. The insect enters about the middle of the boat-shaped 

 labellum. In going out it passes 

 up and out at the end near the 

 flower stalk. In doing this it 

 passes the stigma first and the an- 



ther last, rub- 



bing against 



both. The 



pollen caught 



on the head of 



the insect will 



not touch the . ^ 



bection of flower of Cypnpedium. st, 

 nf the stigma; a, at the left stamen. The insect 

 c enterg the labellum at the center) passes 



flower under and against the stigma, and out 



lower, thrc?ugh the * opening b * her ' e it rubs 



but \vill be in against the pollen. In passing through 

 l another flower this pollen is rubbed off on 

 position to the sti g ma - 



come in contact with the stigma of the next flower visited. 



297. Pollination of the Smyrna fig. Figs have been culti- 

 vated in parts of the United States for many years, in the Gulf 

 and Atlantic States and in California. But the variety which 

 has been in successful cultivation during most of this period is 

 inferior to the imported figs. Consequently they could not come 

 into successful competition with the superior imported variety, the 

 Smyrna or Turkey figs. Nevertheless they have been grown in 

 considerable numbers for home use by the cultivators.* Because 

 of the inferior quality of the figs in cultivation here, a number of 

 attempts have been made during the last forty years to introduce 

 the Smyrna fig into cultivation in California. Trees were suc- 

 cessfully grown, but they failed to mature fruit, the young figs 

 falling early from the trees. 



* This variety of the fig belongs to the same species as the Smyrna fig 

 (Ficus carica), but the flowers are modified and sterile (often called popu- 

 larly "mule" flowers), and the fruit has taken on the habit of forming with- 

 out fertilization. This variety is also grown to some extent in Southern 

 Europe. 



