A SPOTTED ORCHIS. 



starred and brocaded with strange flecks 

 of purple, they rank among the most 

 marvellous of our native flowers in shape 

 and structure. The long spur at the back 

 is the factory and reservoir for the abundant 

 honey. The face of the blossom consists 

 of a broad and showy lip, the flaunting 

 advertisement to bee or butterfly of the 

 sweets within ; it is flanked by two slender 

 spreading wings, above which a third sepal 

 arches over the helmet-like petals. Beneath 

 this hood, or dome, in the centre of the 

 column, the club-shaped pollen-masses lie 

 half concealed in two pockets, or pouches 

 dainty little purses, as it were, like fairy 

 wallets slit open in front for the bee's 

 convenience. The base of the pollen-masses 

 is sticky or gummy ; and they are so 

 arranged, of set purpose, in their pouches, 

 that the moment the bee's head touches 

 them, they cling to it automatically, by their 

 gummy end, and are carried off without 

 his knowledge or consent to the next flower 



