Chap. II. OPIIRYS ARACHNITES. 51 



capsule, though near Florence rather more capsules 

 are produced. The labellum does not secrete any 

 nectar. The flowers, however, must be occasionally 

 visited and fertilised by insects, for Delpino found* 

 pollen-masses on the stigmas of some flowers which 

 still retained both their own pollinia. 



The anther-cells are remarkably open, so that with 

 some plants which were sent me in a box, two pair 

 of pollinia fell out, and stuck by their viscid discs 

 to the petals. Here w^e have an instance of the first 

 appearance of a trifling structure which is of not the 

 least use to its possessor, but becomes when a little 

 more developed, highly beneficial to a closely-allied 

 species ; for although the open state of the anther-cells 

 is useless to the Spider Ophrys, it is of the highest 

 importance, as we shall presently see, to the Bee 

 Ophrys. The flexure of the upper end of the caudicle 

 of the pollinium is of service to the Spider and Fly 

 Ophrys, by aiding the pollen-masses, when carried by 

 insects to another flower, to strike the stigma ; but by 

 an increase of this bend together with increased flexi- 

 bility in the Bee Ophrys, the pollinia become adapted 

 for the widely different purpose of self-fertilisation. 



Oijilirys arachnites. — This form, of which Mr. Oxenden 

 sent me several living specimens, is ^w. 7. 

 considered by some botanists as only a 

 variety of the Bee Ophrys, by others as a 

 distinct species. The anther-cells do not 

 stand so high above the stigma, and do 

 not overhang it so much, as in the Bee 

 Ophrys, and the pollen masses are more PoiUnium of 

 elongated. The caudicle is only two- Ophrys arachnite 

 thirds, or even only half as long as that of the Bee 



' Feroiidazi'iic nelle Piante Antooarp 'O,' 1807. p. -0. 



