38 THE REIGN OF LAW. 



tilisation of Orchids."* It appears that the fer- 

 tilisation of almost all Orchids is dependent on 

 the transport of the pollen from one flower to 

 another by means of insects. It appears, further, 

 that the structure of these flowers is elaborately 

 contrived, so as to secure the certainty and effec- 

 tiveness of this operation. Mr Darwin's work is 

 devoted to tracing in detail what these con- 

 trivances are. To a large extent they are purely 

 mechanical, and can be traced with as much clear- 

 ness and certainty as the different parts of which 

 a steam-engine is composed. The complication 

 and ingenuity of these contrivances almost ex- 

 ceed belief. " Moth-traps and spring-guns set 

 on these grounds," might be the motto of the 

 Orchids. There are baits to tempt the nectar- 

 loving Lepidoptera, with rich odours exhaled at 

 night, and lustrous colours to shine by day ; 

 there are channels of approach along which they 

 are surely guided, so as to compel them to pass 

 by certain spots ; there are adhesive plasters 



* On the Various Contrivances by which British and Foreign 

 Orchids are Fertilised by Insects. By Chas. Darwin, F.R.S. 

 London, 1862. 



