OF NATURAL SELEGTION. 183 



shut, but on what a number of patterns is the hinge con- 

 structed, from the long row of neatly interlocking teeth 

 in a Nucula to the simple ligament of a Mussel! Seeds 

 are disseminated by their minuteness, by their capsule 

 being converted into a light balloou-like envelope, by 

 being embedded in pulp or flesh, formed of the most 

 diverse parts, and rendered nutritious, as well as conspicu- 

 ously colored, so as to attract and be devoured by birds, 

 by having hooks and grapnels of many kinds and serrated 

 awns, so as to adhere to the fur of quadrupeds, and by 

 being furnished with wings and pluc.ies, as different in 

 shape as they are elegant in structure, so as to be wafted 

 by every breeze. I will give one other instance: for this 

 subject of the same end being gained by the most diversi- 

 fied means well deserves attention. Some authors main- 

 tain that organic beings have been formed in many ways 

 for the sake of mere variety, almost like toys in a shop, 

 but such a view of nature is incredible. With plants 

 having separated sexes, and with those in which, though 

 hermaphrodites, the pollen does not spontaneously fall on 

 the stigma, some aid is necessary for their fertilization. 

 With several kinds this is effected by the pollen-grains, 

 which are light and incoherent, being blown by the wind 

 through mere chance on to the stigma; and this is the sim- 

 plest plan which can well be conceived. An almost equally 

 simple, though very different j)laii occurs in many plants in 

 which a symmetrical flower secretes a few drops of nectar, 

 and is consequently visited by insects; and these carry the 

 pollen from the antliers to the stigma. 



From this simple stage we may pass through an inex- 

 haustible 7iumber of contrivances, all for the same pur- 

 pose and effected in essentially the same manner, but en- 

 tailing changes in every part of the flower. The nectar 

 may be stored in variously shaped receptacles, with the 

 stamens and pistils modified in many ways, sometimes 

 forming trap-like contrivances, and sometimes capable of 

 neatly adapted movements through irritability or elasticity. 

 Prom such structures we may advance till we come to 

 such a case of extraordinary adaptation as that lately de- 

 scribed by Dr. Oriiger in the Coryanthes. This orchid has 

 part of its labellum or lower lip hollowed out into a great 

 bucket, into which drops of almost pure water continually 



