ORCHIDS. 83 
plant with sensitiveness and power to forcibly eject, or throw 
out, the waxy seed even to a considerable distance. When, 
therefore, the definite points of flowers are touched by an insect, 
the pollen is shot forth like an arrow, having blunt and very 
sticky points. The little visitor, disturbed by a sharp blow, or 
having eaten its fill of the inviting nectar, flies to some near 
pistillate plant,—and, while standing in the same position as 
before, the seed-bearing end of the pollinia reaches into the 
stigmatic cavity, and some of the seed is left on its viscid sur- 
face. Thus alone (says this learned naturalist) can five varie- 
ties of this species be fertilized. 
Says one, speaking of Darwin’s investigation of the orchids: 
“Moth-traps and spring-guns set on these grounds,” might well 
be the motto of the flowers. There are channels of approach 
along which the nectar-loving insects are surely guided, so as to 
compel them to pass the given spots. There are adhesive plas- 
ters nicely adjusted to fit their probosces, or to catch their 
brows, and so unload their pollen-burden, Sometimes where 
they enter for the honey, there are hair-triggers carefully set in 
their necessary path, communicating with explosive shells that 
project the pollen-stalks with unerring aim upon their bodies.” 
It has been ascertained, by experiments, that flowers ferti- 
lized by the wind rarely if ever have gayly-colored petals. But 
in plants similar of structure to that of the greater green 
orchid, the act of fertilization is very simple, and may be imi- 
tated by the use of a lead pencil or artist's small brush. In 
conservatories, to which insects have not access, this = 1ssethe 
method. 
