424 Scientific Intelligence. 



Platanthera ciliaris and P. blephariglotiis, the Yellow and the White 

 Fringed Orchis, flowering after midsummer, are as similar in their arrange- 

 ments for fertilization as in general appearance. Under the present point 

 of view, they are chiefly remarkable for having their viscid discs project- 



jpporting arm of the stign- 



rable, more plainly than in other species showing what belongs to each) 

 tapering and lengthened to such a degree that the viscid discs are as if 

 raised on a pedicel or tentacle, projecdng considerably beyond the rest 

 of the column. The anther-cells are nearly horizontal, and greatly di- 



presented forwards and slightly inwards, — at least in P. blephariglottis, 

 or in F. ciliaris more directly forwards. Evidently these projecting discs 

 are to be stuck to the face or head of some nectar-sucking insect, of ap- 

 propriate size, that visits the flowers. The stigma, which is rather small, 

 is between the lateral arms, in the same horizontal line with the discs: 

 the discs are small, but quite sticky, and directly affixed to the extremity 

 of a CHudicle or stalk which, in just proportion to the forward elongation 

 of the anther-cell, &c., is remarkably long and slender, twice or thrice the 

 length of the pollen-mass it bears. Upon removal by the head of an insect 

 or any convenient foreign body, a slight bending or turning of the slender 

 caudicle brings the pollen-mass into position for reaching the stigma. 

 The discs, in ordinary flowers of P. ciliaris, are about a line and a half 

 apart ; the slender spur an inch long ;— from which somewhat of the 

 nature and size of the insect adapted to the work in hand may be esti- 

 mated. 



Platanthera fimbriata, the earlier Purple Fringed Orchis. In this the 

 two lateral divisions of the labellura aid in hindering a lateral approach, 

 while its middle division ofi"ers a convenient landing-place in front. The 

 contracted base of the labellum is grooved, or with incurved margins, 

 the trough leading as a sure guide to the narrow orifice of the nectary. 

 The two anther-cells are widely separated, but little divergent; their 

 anterior ends projecting strongly forward, the naked discs are brought just 

 into line with the orifice or the nectary. The pointed tip of a pencil 

 brought to the orifice of the latter, neatly catches the sticky discs and 

 brings away the pollinia ; when the movement, which is effected witbm a 

 quarter or a third of a minute, converges them just enough to make them 

 hit the broad stigma (which lies rather high) upon the re-appHcation ot 

 the pencil. The 'drum-like pedicel' is present in this species also, but 

 reduced to a minimum : the movement which takes place appears to 

 result wholly from its change of form, the portion towards the aatuer 



Platanthera psycodes, the^late!- an7ImaU-flowe'red Purple Fringed C 

 ast as by many to 1 



chis, is so nearly related to the last as bv manv to be reefarded as a 



5 decidedly sweet-scented; and the claw-like ba^ 

 ra is only slightly grooved. A development of the sides 

 5 a kind of guard protects the discs laterally in this as i 

 species, especially the last and P. lacera, preventing a 

 :o the nectary except from the front. A stout bristle, s 

 e of the labellum and into the nectary for some distance 



