Chap. IV EPIPACTIS PALUSTRIS. i)3 



CHAPTER IV. 



NEOTTE^. 



Epipactis palustris ; curious shaije of the labellum and its importance 

 in the fructification of the flower — Other species of Epipactis — 

 Epipogium — Goodyera repens — Spiranthes autumnalis; perfect 

 adaptation by whieli tlie pollen of a younger flower is carried to the 

 stigma of an older flower on another plant — Listera ovata ; sensi- 

 tiveness of the rostellum; explosion of viscid matter; action of 

 insects ; jierfect adaptation of the several organs — Listera cordata — 

 Neottia nidus-avis ; its fertilisation eflected in the same manner as 

 in Listera — Thelymitra, self-fertile. 



We have now arrived at a tliird tribe, the Neottese of 

 Lindley, whicli includes several British genera. These 

 present many interesting points with respect to their 

 structure and manner of fertilisation. 



The Neotteae have a free anther standing behind the 

 stigma. Their pollen-grains are tied together by fine 

 elastic threads, which partially cohere and project at 

 the upper end of the pollen-mass, being there attached 

 (with some exceptions) to the back of the rostellum. 

 Consequently the pollen-masses have no true and dis- 

 tinct caudicles. In one genus alone (Goodyera) the 

 pollen-grains are collected into packets as in Orchis. 

 Epipactis and Goodyera agree pretty closely in their 

 manner of fertilisation with the Ophrea?, but are more 

 simply organised. Spiranthes comes under the same 

 category, but has been differently modified in some 

 respects. 



Epipactis 2^alu8tris* — The lower part of the large 



* I am much indebted to Mr. ing me fresh specimens of this 

 A. G More, of Bembridge. in the beautiful Orcliis. 

 Isle of Wight, for repeatedly send- 



