138 INTERESTING PLANTS OF ALPINE PASTURES 



In the present instance, however, the structure of the 

 flower is relatively simple. The labellum only differs 

 in being rather longer than the other segments, and 

 is often green at the tip. The base is produced 

 backwards in the form of a long spur, which contains 

 honey. 



There is only one stamen in all Swiss Orchids 

 except the Lady's Slipper. This plant possesses a 

 flower with two stamens, somewhat different in 

 construction from those of the other Swiss genera. 



The structure and relationships of the male and 

 female organs in the Orchids are highly peculiar. 

 The single stamen is united with the style of the 

 ovary to form a short column, of which the anther 

 forms the apex, and is placed immediately above the 

 stigma and over the entrance to the spur. Further, 

 the anther produces, not the usual dust of pollen 

 grains, but two club-shaped bodies mounted on short 

 stalks, and each attached below by a viscid adhesive 

 disc. The upper portion of the club, orpollinium as it 

 is called, consists of small compact masses of pollen 

 grains, united together by elastic threads. When ripe, 

 these club-shaped pollinia can easily be detached by 

 loosening the adhesive discs with a needle or a pin, or 

 even a sharp pencil point, and studied under a lens. 

 If they are carefully watched, it will be found that 

 they move. At first they are erect, but shortly they 

 bend on themselves by the stalk, in a forward 

 direction. 



These features are all adaptations to cross-fertili- 



