58 OUR NATIVE ORCHIDS 



beautiful lip which spreads like a fringed fan, with three 

 divisions. It is from one-half inch to an inch in width. 

 It is grooved down the centre to form a channel that leads 

 directly to the opening of the long, slender spur. Over 

 this opening, and between the small converging petals and 

 sepals, is the column. The relation of the parts to each 

 other may be seen by the diagram. 



Gray noticed that the two side divisions of the lip " aid in 

 hindering approach" from those directions, while the middle 

 division offers a convenient landing place in front. The 

 contracted base of the lip is grooved, or with incurved mar- 

 gins, the trough leading as a sure guide to the nectary. 

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

 their lower ends projecting strongly forward, bring the naked 

 discs just into line with the orifice of the nectary." 



If the sharp point of a pencil be thrust between the 

 fringes down the throat of the nectary and be immediately 

 withdrawn, it will be found that in the moment's contact 

 the two sticky discs have adhered to it, and that the pollen 

 masses have been withdrawn from the anther sacs. On 

 holding the pencil still while one slowly counts fifteen or 

 twenty, it will be seen that the pair of slender stalks that hold 

 the pollen masses somewhat erect are slowly depressed, 

 until the pollen masses lie at just the angle that would make 

 them hit against the broad stigma if the pencil were again 

 pointed toward the opening of the spur. 



The pedicels of the stalks are like minute drums, smaller 

 than those in Hooker's Orchid, and if one follows the down- 



