S.A. NAT.. VOL. XV. 
m arch 27th, 1934. By Harold Goldsack. 61. 
accuracy the type of insect which is most suitable for its pollin¬ 
ation. 
bins little orchid, Caladenia lot if alia R.P>r., is the only Cala- 
denia I have seen which secretes free nectar. 
Although found in many parts of this State and occurring 
in most of the other States, in the districts of Blackwood and 
Coromandel Valley it is comparatively rare, only a few isolated 
communities having been found. I his makes it difficult to base 
observations on a large number >t plants. 
Several vears ago 1 noticed that the few llowcis I had tindet 
my observation were successfully pollinated in neatly c\et\ case, 
'phis induced me to examine the flowers more carefully to hud 
out, if possible, what was the attraction for the insects which so 
regularly visited these plants, with the result that the flowers 
were found to possess two distinct nectar glands. 
Pig. 1 gives one an idea of the shape ol this pretty little pink 
flower. It will be noticed that the labellum is distinctly three- 
lobed. 1 he lateral lobes are entire and clasp the sides of the 
column, while the central lobe is recurved and is nteguiui \) 
toothed on the margin. At the point where the middle lobe C 
abruptly bent we find a number of rather tall calli arranged in 
semicircle and forming a barrier which prevents unimpeded en¬ 
trance to the flower. 
If the labellum is removed from a mature, but unfertilized* 
flower we see the nectar which has been excreted by the glands 
appearing as two clear drop. s ol fluid, one at each side ot the col¬ 
umn at 11 > base and on the juncture ol the wings of the column 
with the column proper. \\ hen the flowers are kept protected 
jrom the drying eflects of winds or bright sunshine, the nectar 
accumulates to such an extent as to till the cup-shaped hollow at 
the base of the column. The nectar is distinctly sweet to the 
taste and when tested was found to contain a reducing sugar. 
Kven in buds which have not opened, the nectar glands are found 
to be excreting fluid, so that from the moment of opening, the 
flower offers even inducement to insects to visit it. 
Tn Fig. Ilk. we have a highly magnified view of the left-hand 
side gland from a bud which was on the point of opening. Ii 
will be noticed that the centre of the gland is a hollow about 24 
cells in length with an average width of 2 cells and sunk abruptly 
below the, level of the surface of the column to a depth of 2 or 3 
cells. I his hollow is surrounded bv a few rows of turgid cells 
which secrete nectar as well as those ol the central cleft. The 
cells which constitute the surface of the column are much smaller 
than the actively glandular cells. 
As the flower matures the width of the cleft is reduced bv the 
swelling ol the cells composing its side walls, these cells now being 
