ORCHID FAMILY 



divisions narrow, deeply fringed; the fringe of a few threads 

 even about one half inch long; spur curved, claw-shaped 

 .at the apex. 



THE FRUIT: a capsule. 



A species remarkable for the torn three-parted lip of 

 the delicately constructed white flowers, which tend some- 

 times to the greenish and sometimes to the yellowish. 

 It is well-named, the lacera, as its " lacerated flower-lip is 

 literally torn to divisions of thread-like fineness, and the 

 general effect is accordingly unique. No other orchid is 

 like it"; it is truly a thing of "shreds and tatters." 



Structurally also it differs from others. After saying 

 that no botanist has mentioned its distinct peculiarity, 

 Mr. Wm. Hamilton Gibson goes on to describe thus the 

 structure of the flower; "The nectary, instead of being 

 freely open, is abruptly closed at the central portion by 

 a firm protuberance or palate which projects downward 

 Tom the base of the stigma, and closely meets the lip 

 Delow." Mr. Mathews adds: "The opening is thus 

 divided into two lateral ones, each lying directly beneath 

 a sticky, elongated pollen-disc. Thus the insect, generally 



butterfly, inserts its tongue exactly where the latter 

 will touch the disc which is sure to clasp it and be with- 

 drawn with the pollen." 



ORCHIDACE.E ORCHID FAMILY 



Pogonia ophioglossoides, (L.) Kerr. 



Crimson-pink Rose Pogonia, 



Adder's Mouth Pogonia, 

 June- August Snake-mouth. 



Pogonia: Greek for bearded, from the hairy lip of some of 



the original species. 

 Ophioglossoides: a Latin derivative from Greek meaning 



"tongue-like." 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: bogs. 

 45 



