180 VANDE^. Chai>. VI. 



other hand, the i)edicels are fastened down in a curved 

 l)osition ; and when freed by the rupture of the attached 

 edges of the disc, they straighten themselves with such 

 force, that not only do they drag the balls of pollen 

 together with the anther-cells from their places of 

 attachment, but the whole jiollinium is jerked forward, 

 over and beyond the tips of the so-called antenna?, to 

 the distance sometimes of two or three feet. Thus, 

 as throughout nature, pre-existing structures and capa- 

 cities are utilised for new purposes. 



Catasetum saccatum* — I will first describe the male 

 forms, belonging to five species, which are included 

 under the generic name of Catasetum. The general 

 appearance of the present species is represented in the 

 following woodcut, fig. 28. A side view^ of the flower, 

 A\ith all the petals and sepals excepting the labellum 

 cut off, is shown by B ; and A gives a front view of 

 the column. The upper sepal and two uj)per petals 

 surround and protect the column ; the two lower sepals 

 project out at right angles. The flower stands more 

 or less inclined to either side, but with the labellum 

 downwards, as represented in the drawing. The dull 

 coppery and orange-spotted tints, — the yawning cavity 

 in the great fringed labellum, — the one antenna 

 projecting with the other hanging down — give to 

 these flowers a strange, lurid, and almost reptilian 

 appearance. 



In front of the column, in the middle, the deep 

 stigmatic chamber (fig. 28, A, s), may be seen ; but this 

 is best shown in the section (fig. 29, C, s), in which all 



* I am much indebted to ^Ir. magnificent collection of Orchids, 



James Yeitcli of Cliolsea for the generously sent me two fine spikes, 



first si)eeinien which I saw of and has aided me in the kindest 



ihis Orchid; sulj^equently Mr. manner with other specimens. 

 S. Kucker, so well known for his 



