CuAr. II. 



OPHRYS APIFERA. 



53 



stigma. The anther-cells natvirally open soon after 

 the flower is fully expanded, and the thick ends of 

 the i^ollen-masses then fall out, the viscid discs still 

 remaining in their pouches. Slight as is the weight 

 of the pollen-masses, yet the caudicles are so thin and 

 quickly become so flexible, that in the course of a few 

 hours they sink down, until they hang freely in the air 



Fig. 8. 



OPIIRYS APIFERA, OR BeE OpIIRYS. 



«. anther. 



/. /. labcllum. 



A. .Siilt( view of flowpr, with the 

 upjMT sepal and the two upper 

 jiiitals removed. One ]H)llinium, 

 with its disc still in its pouch, 

 is represented as just falling 



out of the anther-cell ; and 

 the other has fallen almost to 

 its full extent, opposite to the 

 hidden stigniatic surface. 

 B. Pollinium in the position iu 

 which it lies embedded. 



(see lower pollen-mass in fig. A) exactly opposite to 

 and in front of the stigniatic surface. In this position 

 a breath of air, acting on the expanded petals, sets 

 the flexible and elastic caudicles vil)rating, and they 

 almost immediately strike the viscid stigma, and, 

 being there secured, ini])rognation is effected. To 

 make sure that no other aid was requisite, though 



