insect-life is so intimately connected with plant-life that its 

 mere mentioning will justify the stress I lay^upon association. 

 Over the swamps of Madagascar, attached to trees, f dangle 

 the air-roots of a gigantic orchid, AngraBcum sesquipedale. 

 Sideways to the flattened growth of stem and leaf stand the 

 spikes adorned with large shining stars of ebony flowers. 

 The odor of this bloom is noticeable in day-time and strong 

 when night sets in. Truly, nothing could prove plainer that 

 there is a relationship between the odor and the insect which 

 is about in those regions at eventide only. 



But let us follow this plant and insect. The monstrous 

 nightmoth has to rest upon the labellum of the starry flower 

 to unroll its long proboscis and reach down to the store of 

 nectar accumulated for its attraction in a spur of ten inches 

 and more. The sexual organs of this orchid are so constructed 

 that only cross-fertilization will satisfy its requirements. 

 Many orchids assume a rigidity after such act has been per- 

 formed, others wilt and hang lifeless over the vital organs. 

 This orchid belongs to the former class, and to further pro- 

 tect the spot where its life has reached the summit of devel- 

 opment, it folds the side wings over that place for protection 

 against further disturbances from unsought visitors. 



I offer no explanation for this fact, nor have I answered 

 any of the previously put questions. I mention them to 

 prove the existence of relationship far deeper founded than 

 the general observer ever dreams of. I recite them as an 

 introduction to my list of plants for the kindergarten and I 

 will not attempt more than to suggest points of interest for 

 the child in the plants selected. 



18 



