DIFFICULTIES OF THE THEORY 267 



elegant in structure, so as to be wafted by every breeze. 

 I will give one other instance; for this subject of the 

 same end being gained by the most diversified means 

 well deserves attention. Some authors maintain that or- 

 ganic beings have been formed in many ways for the 

 sake of mere variety, almost like toys in a shop, but 

 such a view of nature is incredible. With plants hav- 

 ing separated sexes, and with those in which, though 

 hermaphrodites, the pollen does not spontaneously fall 

 on the stigma, some aid is necessary for their fertiliza- 

 tion. With several kinds this is effected by the pollen- 

 grains, which are light and incoherent, being blown by 

 the wind through mere chance on to the stigma; and this 

 is the simplest plan which can well be conceived. An 

 almost equally simple, though very different, plan occurs 

 in many plants in which a symmetrical flower secretes a 

 few drops of nectar, and is consequently visited by in- 

 sects; and these carry the pollen from the anthers to the 

 etigma. 



From this simple stage we may pass through an inex- 

 haustible number of contrivances, all for the same pur- 

 pose and effected in essentially the same manner, but en- 

 tailing changes in every part of the flower. The nectar 

 may be stored in variously shaped receptacles, with the 

 stamens and pistils modified in many ways, sometimes 

 forming trap-like contrivances, and sometimes capable of 

 neatly adapted movements through irritability or elas- 

 ticity. From such structures we may advance till we 

 come to such a case of extraordinary adaptation as that 

 lately described by Dr. Criiger in the Coryanthes. This 

 orchid has part of its labellum or lower lip hollowed 

 out into a great bucket, into which drops of almost pare 



