GYROSTACHYS 91 



effects nothing on the first spike which she visits till she 

 reaches the upper flowers, and then she withdraws the pollinia 

 (pollen masses). She soon flies to another plant, and 

 alighting on the lowest and oldest flower, into which a wide 

 passage will have been formed from the greater reflexion 

 of the column, the pollinia strikes the protuberant stigma. 

 If the stigma of the lowest flower has already been fully 

 fertilised, little or no pollen will be left on its dried surface; but 

 on the next succeeding flower, of which the stigma is ad- 

 hesive, large sheets of pollen will be left. Then as soon as 

 the bee arrives near the summit of the spike she will with- 

 draw fresh pollinia, will fly to the lower flowers on another 

 plant, and fertilise them. Thus as she goes her rounds and 

 adds to her store of honey, she continually fertilises fresh 

 flowers and perpetuates the race of our autumnal Spiranthes, 

 which will yield honey to future generations of bees. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF GYROSTACHYS 



Flowers growing in three ranks around 

 stem; stem not twisted or only 

 slightly so. 



Sepals and petals curving together 



to form a little hood. i. Hooded Lady's-Tresses. 



Lateral sepals standing free and 

 separate. 

 Spike short, slender, two inches 

 long, four or five wide leaves 

 on stem. 2. Wide-leaved Lady's-Tresses. 



Spike four to six inches long, 

 plant growing six inches to 

 two feet; lip with hairy, 

 straight knobs at base. 3. Nodding Lady's-Tresses. 



