158 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



of its erect position, that it has been a lip, a path- 

 finder and a landing-stage for insects, and that it 

 still has work to do in that line. 



It seems as if the Calopogon had gone through 

 all the stages of development, twisting up the ovary, 

 working out its mechanism for cross-fertilisation, 

 assuming pleasing fragrance and alluring colour, 

 shaping its stigma and pollen, its column and lip to 

 conform to certain insect visitors ; then, by a streak 

 of atavism, a trick well known to breeders of plants 

 and animals, had reverted to a primitive type, had 

 straightened out its ovary, and had turned its life 

 topsy-turvy. 



I can liken the Calo- 

 pogon's story to that of a 

 country lad who had lived 

 many years in the strenu- 

 ous city, and, returning to 

 country life once more, had 

 found it good. For the 

 Calopogon certainly finds 

 life good, and is immensely 

 successful in the struggle for existence. 

 Let us see what it does for a living 

 in this reversed position. Gray tells us 

 that "the lip is as if hinged" and you 

 will have the fact confirmed if you bring 

 CALOPOGON a spire home and keep it in water over 



