ORCHIDS. 15 



species whose flowers resemble insects. O. araiiifera 

 reminds us of a spider, and we seem to see the outspread 

 legs and fat body of one ot these creatures. Another 

 species of Ophrys is like a spider with a pnrplish-brown 

 body ornamented with green. But far and away the 

 prettiest of tliem all is Ophrys Bertolonii (Y\^. p. .-?1.3). It is 

 also so peculiar that it has at all times attracted the 

 attention even of the peasantry. The Ligurians, when 

 referring to it Ra^': — "Oxletti che se spegian", and 

 indeed it looks as though a little green bird had settled 

 in the middle of the tlo\ver, and bending over, was 

 looking at itself in a mirror. This little bird has botli 

 head and beak, and even two red e^'es in their proper 

 position. Five pink petals are attached to its graceful 

 body as wings and tail, while the mirror is borne on 

 the sixth petal, which is of a dark purplish-red colour. 

 This latter is much larger than the other petals, turned 

 down and convex; it is called the lip, or labellum, ot 

 the ilower. Its upper surface is velvety with the ex- 

 ception of a spot which represents the mirror. Here 

 the surface is smooth and ot a bright silvery grey. 

 Scientificalh' speaking this little bird-like object is a 

 remarkable development of the Gynostemium. Bv G\'no- 

 stemium is meant that little column which, in orchids, 

 is formed by the adhesion of three stamens to three 

 styles. Onh' one stamen is fertile; its anther forms the 

 head of the bird; the two anther-lobes the e}-es; the 

 connective projects and forms the beak. The shin^' 

 spot on the labellum is due to a reflecting laT,'er of 

 air intercalated in the tissue. Light is retlected from 



