Chap. IV. EPIPACTIS PALUSTEIS. 93 



CHAPTER IV. 



NEOTTE^. 



Epipactis palustris ; curious shape of the labellura and its importance 

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

 Epipogiiira — Goodyera repens — Sjuranthes autumnalis; perfect 

 adapt ition by which the 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 ; perfect adaptation of the several organs — Listera cordata — 

 Ncottia nidus-avis ; its fertilisation efiected in the same manner as 

 in Listera — Thelymitra, self-fertile. 



We have now arrived at a third tribe, the Neottene of 

 Lindley, which includes several British genera. These 

 present many interesting points with respect to their 

 strncture and manner of fertilisation. 



The Neottese 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 Ophreae, but are more 

 simply organised. Spiranthes comes under the same 

 category, but has been differently modified in some 

 respects. 



Epipactis palustris* — The lower part of the large 



* I am much indebted to INIr. ing me frosh specimens of thi 

 A. G. ]Mnre, of Bembridge. in the beautiful Orchis. 

 I>le of Wight, for repeatedly send- 



