ORCHIS. 



235 



is the lower lip, and it is at the 

 base produced backward into a slen- 

 der spur — the nectary — seen under 

 the ovary. The two upper petals 

 are somewhat united, covering the 

 stamens like a hood. The 3 sepals 

 are also ascending and converging 

 with them — all rose-purple, form- 

 ing a vaulted upper-lip.* 



Instead of stamens and pistils, 

 there is an oval, concave mass called 

 the column — a stamen and pistil 

 combined. In it are 2 anther-cells, 

 and a broad stigma-surface between 

 them. Each cell contains a club- 

 shaped mass of granular pollen, 

 erect on a stipe attached to a sticky 

 gland on the stigma. These pollen 

 masses are the pollinia, and such 

 flowers are called gynandrous. \ 



J^ei'tllization, In the Orchis it becomes an interesting 

 question how the pollinia shut up in the 2 cells c c can be 

 brought into contact with the stigma at r? ? Repeated obser- 



5, Calopogon pulchellus— lip 

 on the upper !^ide (}}, column 

 on the lower. 



* Strictly speaking, the lower-lip ; for by the twisting of the ovary half-a-tum the 

 whole flower is inverted. In the elegant Grass Pink (^Calopogon) the ovary is not 

 twisted ; and the lip proper, the lip consisting of one petal, is on the upper side of the 

 flower. 



t Every part of the Orchis seems purposely shaped to perform some special work 

 in its economy. The upper portion protects the delicate pollen-masses ; the hinder- 

 part is prolonged into a tube which does not yii-ld nectar until it is gnawed : and the 

 lower portion is a tempting and convenient alighting stage for insects. Even the 

 pollen-masses are specialized in a marvellous degree, and are usually associated with 

 mechanic contrivances intended for adherence to the probosces and bodies of butter- 

 flies and moths. Their perfumes are as various as their shapes, and even the honey 

 seems to have a variety of flavor which makes it more sought for by some insects 

 than by others. Had the Orchid-; been rational beings fully aware of the laws of 

 biology, chemistry and mechanics, they could not have adapted themselves to their 

 Burroundings more perfectly. — {Taylor.) 



