54 OPHRE^. Chap. IL 



the experiment was superfluous, I covered up a plant 

 under a net, so that the wind, but no insects, could 

 pass in, and in a few days the pollinia became attached 

 to the stigmas. But the pollinia of a spike kept in 

 water in a still room remained free, suspended in front 

 of the stigma, until the flowers withered. 



Robert Brown first observed that the structure of the 

 Bee Ophrys is adapted for self-fertilisation.* When 

 we consider the unusual and perfectly-adapted length, 

 as well as the remarkable flexibility of the caudicles ; 

 when we see that the anther-cells naturally open, and 

 that the masses of pollen, from their weight, slowly 

 fall down to the exact level of the stigmatic surface, 

 and are there made to vibrate by the slightest breath 

 of wind until the stigma is struck ; it is impossible 

 to doubt that these several points of structure and 

 function, which occur in no other British Orchid, are 

 specially adapted for self- fertilisation. 



The result is what might have been anticipated. 1 

 have often noticed that the spikes of the Bee Ophrys 

 apparently produced as many seed-capsules as flowers ; 

 and near Torquay I carefully examined many dozen 

 plants, some time after the flowering season ; and on 

 all I found from one to four, and occasionally five, 

 fine capsules, that is, as many capsules as there had 

 been flowers. In extremely few cases, with the excep- 

 tion of a few deformities, generally on the summit of 

 the spike, could a flower be found which had not pro- 

 duced a capsule. Let it be observed what a contrast 

 this species presents with the Fly Ophrys, which 

 requires insect aid for its fertilisation, and which from 

 forty-nine flowers produced only seven capsules ! 



* ' Transact. Linn. Soc' vol. common to the genus. As far aa 

 xvi. p. 740. Brown erroneously the fouf British species are con- 

 believed that this peculiarity was cerned, it applies to this one alone. 



