AUGUST, 1923. THE ' ORCHID “REVIEW. 237 
to set in motion the lever-like action and so bring about its imprisonment. 
The rest of the labellum is not sensitive, and this is of distinct advantage to 
the plant, because, were this otherwise, the insect would probably be carried 
up against the wings of the column, and so prevent complete closure of the 
little fertilising chamber. It could then easily escape without accomplishing 
the purpose for which the labellum was designed.” 
Bulbophyllum barbigerum is another Vj 
example of the wonderful construction 
frequently witnessed in the labellum. In \V VBE 
this native of Sierra Leone, the thread-like WZ ea 
structure is so exceedingly delicate that it ———= 
is set in motion by the slightest movement 
of the air. Bulbophyllum tremulum is also 
noted for its trembling lip, while in B. 
saltatorium the specific name is derived 
from the dancing-like style of the labellum. 
Masdevallia muscosa is another species 
of considerable interest. When the flower 
first opens, the tails of the sepals turn back. 
Then the triangular blade of the lip falls 
down between the lateral sepals, exposing a yellow ridge on the disc. On 
touching this ever so lightly, even with a hair, the lip is at once raised, at 
first slowly, and finally with a snap. An insect alighting on the lip would 
certainly touch the ridge, and would be lifted up and kept a prisoner for 
some twenty minutes, when the lip would descend, and be ready fora 
repetition of the process. 
Sometimes the labellum is constructed in the form of a spur, as may be 
well seen in Aérides suavissimum, in which a resemblance to ram’s 
s horns has been noted. 
BULBOPHYLLUM BARBIGERUM, 
This peculiar species was 
introduced to Kew Gar- 
dens as long ago as 1800. 
In Dendrobium infundi- 
bulum the side lobes of 
the lip bend over the 
column and havea funnel- 
aS like form, and to which 
AERIDES SUAVISSIMUM WITH SPUR-LIKE LABELLUM. the specific name “‘funnel- 
shaped ” applies. Dendrobium longicornu also derives its name from the 
shape of the labellum, this being of “long-horn” style. It is a native of 
the lower Himalayan zone, and flowered in the Horticultural Society’s 
garden at Chiswick in 1829. 
