168 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Nov.-Dec., 1920. 
‘slender abdomen in the cavity under the pollinia, and when the insect flies 
away, the pollinia are carried off on its upper surface, near the end. Insects 
have been observed with as many as six pollinia attached. On visiting 
another flower, pollen is deposited on the stigma, and fertilisation is effected. 
It is interesting to note that O. lutea has a very strong lemon scent. 
In the case of Ophrys fusca still fewer observations have been made, 
but the insect visitor is a small black hymenopteron, in shape much like the 
‘one previously mentioned, and which also alights on the lip in the reverse 
direction. On the railway embankment at Blida, one of these insects was 
‘seen to alight on the lip of O. fusca, plunge its abdomen into the cavity, 
and fly off with the pollinia attached. It was not possible to determine the 
insect. At the end of January a small black hymenopteron had been 
observed flying round a clump of O. fusca carrying a bouquet of four or six 
pollinia, which must have been those of O. fusca, which was the only one in 
bloom at this early season. 
It is estimated that about 20 per cent. of the flowers of O. fusca bear 
capsules, of O. lutea about 25 per cent., and of O. speculum 25 to 30 per 
‘cent. Figures of a flower of each species and of two of the insects are given. 
There remain four other interesting Algerian Ophryses to be observed, 
the fine O. tenthredinifera, O. Scolopax, the remarkable O. bombyliflora, 
and the alpine O. atlantica. O. apifera is self-fertilising, as it is at home. 
In connection with the preceding, our old correspondent, M. Fernand: 
Denis, Balaruc-les-Bains, whose successes in hybridising Ophryses will be 
remembered, sends us the following note: ‘ Similar phenomena may be 
observed with our native Ophryses. Near-my Office I have two colonies of 
Ophrys aranifera, which interest me much, because four years ago I fertilised 
some flowers with pollen of O. speculum, and this year I have a number of 
O. Machiatii, the natural hybrid between the two, in bloom. I have seen 
the male of a hymenopteron (Megachile) visiting the flowers of O. aranifera 
one after another. I followed the insect for over twenty minutes, then 
caught it between my fingers for certain identification, and afterwards let it 
fly away.” 
The preceding information marks a great advance in our knowledge, for 
when Herman Muller published the second edition of his work, in 1877, he 
merely alludes to seeing a fly (Sarcophaga sp.) seated on the lip of O. 
muscifera and licking up the drops of fluid; it flew away, however, without 
removing the pollinia. It also invests the record of the Rev. Gerarde E. 
Smith, in 1829, with a new significance. He remarks, ‘‘ Mr. Price has 
frequently witnessed attacks made upon the Bee Orchis by a bee, similar 
to those of the troublesome Apis muscorum.” And Darwin commented, 
““What this sentence means I cannot imagine.” We hope that now 
_ other observers will follow up the subject. R.A.R. 
