212 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS CHAP. 



and stigmas. Separate the petals from the calyx, and open the tube of 

 the calyx so as to show the position of the stamens and stigma. 

 Note 



(iv) Those flowers where the stigma comes between the two sets of 

 stamens. The style is of mid-length, the stamens are long and short. 



(v) Those flowers where the stigma is long the two sets of stamens 

 coming below it. The stigma is long, the stamens are of mid-length ' 

 and short-length. 



(vi) Those flowers, where the stigma is short the two sets of stamens 

 are inserted above it. The stigma is short the stamens are of mid- 

 length and long-length. 



Now mount pollen from the different sets of stamens in water. 

 Examine with low power. Measure the size of each, and note which 

 are the largest and which the smallest. 



(vii) The pollen grains from the long stamens of the short-styled form 

 are the largest. Why ? 



(viii) The pollen grains from the shortest stamens of mid-styled form 

 are the smallest. Why ? 



The Work of the Insect -In a plant of this description the 

 pollen is distributed by insects. From the examination of 

 the flowers it is seen at once that the insect 



carries pollen from the short stamens to the 

 short stigma ; from the mid-stamens to the 

 mid-stigma ; from the long-stamens to the 

 long-stigma. 



3. British Orchids. The most highly 

 developed of all entomophilous plants are the 

 orchids. They are noted for their peculiar 

 FIG 211 Floral Dia- shapes and the beauty of their flowers. Re- 

 gram of Orchid. prcsentatives of this order of plants are found 

 in nearly all parts of the world, and men are 

 constantly engaged in tropical and sub-tropical climates in 

 looking for new specimens. One of the common British 

 representatives is the Spotted Orchis, which makes gay many 

 a lane and bog in the North, and decorates the Sussex Downs 

 and most sea-cliffs in the South. 



EXPT. 187. Dig up a single plant of the Spotted Orchis when in 

 flower, and examine it. Note 



(i) From the tuberous root rise several smooth, parallel-veined, 

 spotted leaves. 



(ii) From the centre of the leaves springs the peduncle, which bears 

 a nearly pyramidal head of many purple flowers. 



(iii) From the peduncle carefully remove one of the flowers and hold 

 it in the same position as that assumed by it when on the stem. A 



