162 VANDE.E. Chap. VI. 



the long nectary close beneath the rostellum. The 

 labellum is studded with singular, wartlike, globular 

 excrescences. 



If a thick needle be inserted into the mouth of the 

 nectary (fig. A), and then withdrawn, the viscid disc 

 is removed, bearing with it the elegant fan of radiating 

 pollen-masses. These undergo no change in position. 

 But if the needle be now inserted into the nectary of 

 another flower, the ends of the pollen-masses neces- 

 sarily hit the upper and laterally sloping sides of the 

 rostellum, and, glancing off both ways, strike down 

 into the two lateral pit-like stigmas. The thin cau- 

 dicles being easily ruptured, the pollen-masses are left 

 adhering like little darts to the viscid surface of both 

 stigmas (see left-hand stigma in fig. C), and the fertili- 

 sation of the flower is completed in a simple manner 

 pleasing to behold. 



I should have stated that a narrow transverse rim of 

 stigmatic tissue, beneath the rostellum, connects the 

 two lateral stigmas ; and .it is probable that some of 

 the middle pollen-masses may be inserted through the 

 notch in the rostellum, so as to adhere to this rim. 

 . I am the more inclined to this opinion from having 

 found in the elegant Calanthe vestita the rostellum 

 extending so widely over the two lateral stigmas, that 

 apparently all the pollen-masses must be inserted 

 beneath its surface. 



The Angrsscmn sesquipedale, of which the large six- 

 rayed flowers, like stars formed of snow-white wax, 

 have excited the admiration of travellers in Madagascar, 

 must not be passed over. A green, whip-like nectary 

 of astonishing length hangs down beneath the label- 

 lum. In several flowers sent me by Mr. Bateman I 

 found the nectaries eleven and a half inches long, with 

 only the lower inch and a half filled with nectar. 



