A FEW NATIVE ORCHIDS 1 85 



tions of previous descriptions of Gray and others, 

 though pictorially and descriptively the result of 

 direct original study from nature ; others are from 

 actual observation of the insects at work on the 

 flowers; and others still, original demonstrations 

 based upon analogy and the obvious intention of 

 the floral construction, the action of the insect — 

 its head or tongue — having been artificially imi- 

 tated by pins, bristles, or other probe-like bodies. 



How many an enthusiastic flower -hunter has 

 plucked his fragrant bouquet of the beautiful 

 Arethusa, in its sedgy haunt, without a suspicion 

 of the beautiful secret which lay beneath its sin- 

 gular form ! Indeed, how many a learned bota- 

 nist, long perfectly familiar with its peculiarities 

 of shape and structure, has been entirely content 

 with this simple fact, nor cared to seek further for 

 its interpretation ! But 



" All may have the flower now, 

 For all have got the seed." 



With Darwin as our guide and the insect as 

 our key — an open sesame — the hidden treasure is 

 revealed It is now quite possible, as Darwin 

 demonstrated, to look upon a flower for the first 

 time and from its structure foretell the method of 

 its intended cross-fertilization ; nay, more, possibly 



