A FEW NATIVE ORCHIDS 185 



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 



