ORCHIDS 147 



RAGGED FRINGED ORCHIS Habenaria lacera 

 July-August 



An orchid having about the same range as the 

 preceding one, and also with a contrivance for di- 

 verting the tongue of the insect to the right side or 

 to the left. A projection, again, divides the path- 

 way to the nectar-store, but this time from above. 



The column bears, stigma and anther sacs in their 

 usual place, above the opening to the nectar-well, 

 but just here it bends down into a little beak, or 

 spur, thus dividing the opening into two little gates. 

 A moth's tongue must, then, pass to the right or to 

 the left of the centre, and in so doing must touch 

 and remove a pollen gland. 



RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN Epipactis 

 July-August 



This modest little plant has put off the splen- 

 dours of the orchid, and even disguises the veining 

 of its leaves under a pattern of white lace, as if it 

 would shun its relatives by masquerading. I was 

 greatly surprised to know that this "plantain" was 

 an orchid, and to learn that it had an ingenious 

 mechanism resembling that of the Habenarias. 

 The flowers are very minute, but will yield their 

 secrets to close study under a magnifying-glass. 



