132 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



ing their lives, in order to gather orchid treasures 

 from the dark green grottoes of tropic forests. Col- 

 lectors purchase the bulbs at many times their 

 weight in gold. Business men, soldiers, statesmen, 

 give themselves to the cult of the orchid, and we 

 are reminded of the tulip craze of long ago. 



We too shall feel some of the same thrill hunt- 

 ing our native orchids, striving to discover speci- 

 mens of all the species, and learning the habits 

 of each, and the insect guest which forms its 

 alter ego. 



And since the orchid is as it is, a lovely creation 

 formed, constructed and tinted with the one pur- 

 pose to attract its affinity, and thus to perpetuate 

 its aristocratic lineage, this flower, more than all 

 others, must be studied in reference to its schemes 

 and mechanisms, its allurements and subterfuges 

 by which its hopes and ambitions are consummated. 



Among our native orchids we discover three dis- 

 tinct schemes or mechanisms for accomplishing 

 cross-fertilisation. 



In the first, the insect enters by one opening, 

 passes under stigma and anthers and departs by 

 another opening. This is seen in the lady's slippers, 

 or Cypripediums. 



In the second, the pollen masses fasten themselves 

 upon the head or the tongue of the insect visitor. 



