The Showv Orchid 



tender membrane, which ruptures and exposes the 

 viscid glands of the pollen masses, which become 

 instantly attached to the face or head, perhaps the 

 eyes, of the burly visitor. As the insect retreats 

 from the flower, one or both of the pollinia are 

 withdrawn, as at B. Then immediately follows a 

 downward movement, which exactly anticipates the 

 position of the stigma, 

 and as the bee enters the 

 next flower the pollen 

 clubs are forced against 

 it (C). 



In the case of a smaller 

 bee visitinofthe flower, the 

 insect would find it nec- 

 essary to creep farther 

 into the opening, and thus 

 might bring its thorax against the pollen-glands. 

 In either case the change of position in the pollinia 

 would insure the same result. 



The entrance to the showy orchid's nectary is so 

 formed as to insure the approach of the insect from 

 the front — the only way in which the desired result 

 can be accomplished. This direct approach, so 

 necessary in many orchids, is insured by various 

 devices — by the position of the lip upon which the 



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