53 



they have not been brought into actual contact with the stig- 

 matic exudation. Numerous pollen-tubes penetrate the back 

 of the stigma in the neighbourhood of the ridge which covers 

 the stigmatic canal and cause the pollinia to become firmly 

 adherent. There is no adhesion at the extreme base of the 

 masses nor in the region of the rostellum. They become 

 attached only along the middle third of the anterior groove 

 which formerly separated them. The rostellum now generally 

 collapses completely on to the anterior surface of the stigma, 

 as shown in fig. 5, leaving the narrow ends of the pollinia 

 exposed. The margins of the stigma are still well defined and 

 raised, but the upper part of the anterior surface begins to 

 lose its glistening appearance. 



5. A moist, sticky depression now represents the former 

 funnel-shaped cavity at the base of the stigma, and the w^hole 



0-L> 



Explanation of the Text Figure : r, rostellum; a w s, anterior 

 wall of stigma; I, labellum ; g, gland at base of labellum ; m, 

 horizontal groove at back of the gland (g); n, projecting ridge at 

 base of stigma, corresponding to the groove (m); a c, anther-case; 

 p, pollen-mass; b s, back of stigma; ov, ovary. 



anterior surface becomes mammilated in appearance. The 

 labellum once more rises up in front of the column. The pro- 

 minent yellow gland at its base fits exactly into the middle 



