232 



H03I0L0GIES OF THE 



Chap. Vllt 



insect which enters the labellum is thus compelled to 

 crawl out by one of the two narrow passages, on the 

 sides of which the pollen-masses and stigma are placed. 

 We have seen that exactly the same end is gained in 

 the case of Coryanthes by the labellum being half- 

 filled with secreted fluid ; and in the case of Pterostylis 

 and some other Australian Orchids by the labellum 

 being irritable, so that when touched by an entering 

 insect it shuts up the flower, with the exception of a 

 single narrow passage.* 



Homological Nature of the several Parts of the Flowers of 



the Orcliidese. 



The theoretical structure of few flowers has been so 

 largely discussed as that of the Orchidea^ ; nor is this 

 surprising, seeing how unlike they are to common 

 flowers ; and here will be a convenient place for con- 

 sidering this subject. No group of organic beings can 

 be well understood until their homologies are made 

 out ; that is, until the general pattern, or, as it has 

 often been called, the ideal type, of the several mem- 

 bers of the group is intelligible. Xo one member 

 may now exist exhibiting the full pattern ; but this 

 does not make the subject less important to the natu-^ 

 ralist, — probably makes it more important for the 

 fuU 'understanding of the group. 



The homologies of any being, or group of beings. 



* Selenipedium palmifolium is 

 one of the Cypripedeie, and 

 according to Dr. Criiger ('Journ. 

 Limi. Soc. Bot.' vol. viii. J 864, p. 

 134) bears very fragrant flowers, 

 which " in ail probability are 

 always impregnated by insects. 

 The labellum is, like some Aris- 

 tolochia-flowers, constructtd after 



tlie fish-pot system, i. e. a fimnel- 

 shaped opening conducts into it, 

 and insects tind it difficult to 

 escape through the same. The 

 only other opening near the base 

 of "the labellum is partly closed 

 by the sexual apparatus, and the 

 insect has to force its way out 

 there." 



