"Blossom Hosts j/id Insect Guests 



THE GREAT AXGR.ECUM 



A remarkable instance of the adaptation of a 

 flower to a single species of insect is seen in the great 

 Angriucum orchid of Madagascar, described by Dar- 

 win. This species glorifies Darwin's faith in the 

 truth of nis theory, and marks a notable victory in 

 the long battle for its supremacy. 



Among the host of sceptics who met his evolu- 

 tionary and revolutionary theory ^vith incredulity, 

 not to say ridicule or worse, was one who thus chal- 

 lenged him shortly after the appearance of his " Fer- 

 tilization of Orchids," addressing him from Mada- 

 gascar substantially as follows: " Upon your theory 

 of evolution through natural selection all the various 

 contrasting structural features of the orchids have 

 direct reference to some insect which shall best 

 cross-fertilize them. If an orchid has a nectary one 

 inch long, an insect's tongue of equiv^alent length is 

 implied ; a nectary six inches in length likewise im- 

 plies a tongue six inches long. What have you to 

 say in regard to an orchid which flourishes here in 

 Madagascar possessing a long nectary as slender as 

 a knittinor-needle and eleven inches in lensfth ? On 

 your hypothesis there must be a moth with a tongue 

 eleven inches long, or this nectary would never have 

 been elal)orated." 



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