236 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



column is a boat-shaped box, resembling a lower 

 lip ; the labellum forms a lip that exactly fits it, and 

 is hinged on a claw which reaches the middle of the 

 ■column. When the flower opens, the labellum turns 

 round within the column and falls back, so that, the 

 flower being inverted, it stands fairly over the latter. 

 The moment a small insect touches its point, the 

 labellum makes a suddert revolution, brings the point 

 to the bottom of the column, passing the anther in 

 its way, and ■ thus makes prisoner any insect which 

 the box will hold. When it catches an insect it 

 remains shut while its prey continues to move about, 

 but if no capture is made the lid soon recovers its 

 position. Another plant (Drakcea elastica) has a 

 single flower placed at the end of a slender, smooth, 

 erect scape, from twelve to eighteen inches high ; and 

 its labellum, which is hammer-shaped, and placed on 

 ■along arm, with a movable elbow-joint in the middle, 

 is stated to resemble an insect suspended in the air, 

 and moving with every breeze. Another plant of 

 this description is Spiculcea ciliata, whose rusty flowers 

 when spread open may be compared to long-legged 

 spiders ; the lip, with a long solid lamina, looking 

 like their body, while an appendage at its apex, 

 which is apparently movable, is not unlike the head 

 of such a creature." 



One of the species with an irritable labellum is 

 called the Toad Orchis {Megaclinium bitfo), and 



