INGENUITY IN VARIATION 129 



each so nicely placed that their dust will reach 

 both sticky stigmas of the next flower entered 

 and could not pollinate the stigma of the first 

 mentioned orchids. 



Orchid pollen is quite often carried by 

 small birds as well as very large insects and 

 the contrivances which the orchids have in- 

 vented to prevent poUinization from other 

 species of orchids are marvelous almost beyond 

 comprehension. 



Similarly, the pollen of the milkweed is stored 

 in two little bags, connected by a strap. When 

 the bee visits the flower its feet become en- 

 tangled in this strap and when it leaves it carries 

 both bags with it. 



And so, throughout the whole range of plant 

 life, each fresh investigation would show a new 

 display of ingenuity — infinite ingenuity directed 

 toward the single end of combining the tend- 

 encies of two lines of heredity — so that the off- 

 spring may be different from and better 

 equipped than the parents for adapting them- 

 selves to new conditions of environment. 



We may observe a number of species of 

 flowers which bloom at night only; flowers which, 

 as if having tried to perfect a lure for the insects 

 of the day, and having failed, have reversed the 

 order of things and send forth blossoms of 



Vol. 1 — Bur. E 



