FERTILISATION. 



To effect the fertilisation of the flower, and the production ol 

 seeds which are to perpetuate the plant, it is necessary that the 

 pollinia be conveyed to the stigma, and as in the majority ol 

 cases these organs are so placed relatively that it cannot be 

 accomplished without foreign aid, we perceived a reason for the 

 numerous elaborate contrivances that compel or induce insects tc 

 afford the requisite assistance. It has, however, been observed 

 that in some species, like Ophrys apifera, self-fertilisation is 

 commonly effected, owing to the pollen masses partly falling out 

 of the anther case, and hanging in front of the stigma, against 

 which the slightest wind blows them. On the other hand, it 

 would require a large volume to describe the multitudinous plans 

 by which the conveyance of pollen masses from one flower to 

 another is provided for, examples of which can be found in plenty 

 of our wild orchids. These and similar flowers are ably described 

 in Mr. Darwin's celebrated work on Orchids, and cannot be 

 referred to here, as without full description their action could not 

 in most cases be rendered clear. One extraordinary example may, 

 however, be given in Coryanthes macrantha. In this and others 

 of the genus the lip is formed like a " bucket," one portion of 

 which secretes a fluid that falls into the lip and remains there 

 until evaporated, or it sometimes fills the " bucket " and over- 

 flows by a spout. C. macrantha has projections upon the lip, 

 which tempt bees to gnaw them ; and Dr. Cruger has observed 

 that " the bees may be seen in great numbers, disputing with each 

 other for a place on the edge of the hypochil. Partly by this 

 contest, partly perhaps intoxicated by the matter they are in- 

 dulging in, they tumble into the " bucket " half full of fluid ; they 

 then crawl along in the water towards the anterior side of the 

 " bucket," where there is a passage for them between the opening 

 of this and the column. If one is early on the look out, as these 

 bees are early risers, one can see in every flower how fecund- 

 ation is performed. The humble bee in forcing its way out of its 

 involuntary bath has to exert itself considerably, as the mouth 

 of the epichil and the face of the column fit together exactly, and 

 are very stiff and elastic. The first bee, then, which is immersed 

 will have the gland of the pollen mass glued to its back." It 

 passes out with this, and perhaps enters the same or another 

 flower, when the pollen masses are placed directly upon the stigma 



