156 THK BEAUTIES OE NATURE 



MIMICRY 



In many cases plants mimic others which 

 are better protected than themselves. Thus 

 Matricaria Chamomilla mimics the true Cham- 

 omile, which from its bitterness is not eaten 

 by quadrupeds. Ajuga Chamsepitys mimics 

 Euphorbia Cyparissias, with which it often 

 grows, and which is protected by its acrid 

 juice. The most familiar case, however, is 

 that of the Stinging and the Dead Nettles. 

 They very generally grow together, and 

 though belonging to quite different families 

 are so similar that they are constantly mis- 

 taken for one another. Some Orchids have a 

 curious resemblance to insects, after which 

 they have accordingly been named the Bee 

 Orchis, Fly Orchis, Butterfly Orchis, etc., but 

 it has not yet been satisfactorily shown what 

 advantage the resemblance is to the plant. 



AKTS AND PLANTS 



The transference of pollen from plant to 



