15 



PINK LADY'S SLIPPER; MOC- 

 CASIN FLOWER. 



This species is the most widely dis- 

 tributed and one of the most abund- 

 ant species. The single blossom tops 

 a long stem that grows from two 

 clasping leaves at the base. Our 

 other species have leafy stems, that 

 is the leaves alternate up the stem 

 almost to the flower. The largest and 

 most magnificent variety is the Showy 

 Lady's Slipper, shown on the preced- 

 ing page; the blossoms are also quite 

 fragrant. Another species, the Small 

 White Lady's Slipper, is not only 

 smaller but lacks the crimson touches 

 that so beautify this one. Rather 



rare, except in our higher portions, are the small Yellow 

 Lady's Slippers, with their curiously bent and twisted brown 

 sepals. 



Pink Lady's Slippers are locally met with in small col- 

 onies in rath ^r dry woods. The large, delicate pink blos- 

 soms are fertilized through the agency of bumblebees. He 

 enters through the closed fissure in front, his strength being 

 sufficient to force his way in; after eating his fill he takes 

 the easiest way out, through the top ; as he forces his burly 

 frame through the narrowing passage his back brushes 

 against a sticky stigma removing any pollen that may have 

 been brought from the previous blossom visited; as he con- 

 tinues, just before emerging, an anther blocks his passage 

 and claps a fresh load of pollen on his back in readiness 

 to continue the good work. 



Our bumblebee is one of the most useful insects that we 

 have, performing the same duties to many species of plants. 

 Very fortunately, he makes the rounds of flowers of the 

 same kind, thereby avoiding the waste of brushing pollen 

 from one species of plant off on another. Mutilated Lady's 

 Slippers are often caused by large bees, which bite their 

 way through the wall rather than force out in the proper 

 manner. 



