NEWS OF SPRING 



suit of a curious ballistic calculation, the disc is always hurled 

 first and strikes the insect, to whom it adheres. She, stunned 

 by the blow, has but one thought: to leave the aggressive 

 corolla with all speed and take refuge in a neighbouring 

 flower. This is all that the American Orchid wanted. 



20 



Shall I also mention the curious and practical simplifica- 

 tions introduced into the general system by another family of 

 exotic Orchids, the Cypripedece? Let us still bear in mind 

 the devious ways of human inventions : we have here an amus- 

 ing imitation. A fitter, in the engine-room; an assistant, a 

 pupil, in the laboratory, says, one day, to his principal: 



"Suppose we tried to do just the opposite? . . . Sup- 

 pose we reversed the movement? . . . Suppose we in- 

 verted the mixture of the fluids?" 



The experiment is tried; and suddenly from the unknown 

 issues something unexpected. 



One could easily believe the Cypripedea to have held 

 similar conversations among themselves. We all know the 

 Cypripedium, or Ladies'-slipper: with its enormous shoe chin, 

 its crabbed and venomous air, it is the most characteristic 



[ 80 ] 



