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136
My Studio Neighbors
·
W. Hamilton Gibson
117
The
further
demonstration
will
be
better
shown
by
profile
sections
(Fig.
21).
Nectar
is
secreted
in
the
hollow
of
the
lip
indicated,
somewhat
as
in
the
cypripedium.
If
we
now
imitate
with
a
probe
the
habit
of
the
insect
and
the
action
of
its
tongue,
we
may
witness
a
beautiful
contrivance
for
cross-fertilization.
We
will
suppose
the
bee
to
be
working
at
the
top
of
the
spike.
He
thrusts
his
tongue
into
the
narrow
opening
(G).
The
membrane
protecting
the
pollen-gland,
thus
surely
touched,
ruptures
as
described,
and
the
exposed
gland
attaches
itself
to
the
tongue,
being
withdrawn
as
at
H,
and
located
on
the
insect's
tongue,
as
in
F,
Fig.
20.
The
bee
leaves
this
flower
cluster
and
flies
to
another,
upon
which
it
will
usually
begin
operation
at
the
bottom.
The
flower
thus
first
encountered
is
an
old
bloom,
as
in
Fig.
19,
D.
Its
sepals
are
more
spreading,
the
lip
slightly
lowered,
and
the
column
so
changed
as
to
present
the
plane
of
the
stigma,
before
out
of
sight,
in
such
a
new
position
as
to
invariably
receive
the
pollen.
The
tongue
of
a
bee
entering
this
flower
conveys
the
pollen
directly
against
the
stigmatic
surface
(I),
which
retains
its
disentangled
fecundating
grains,
as
at
J,
and
the
flower's
functional
adaptations
are
fulfilled.
In
the
allied
Spiranthes,
or
"Lady's-Tresses,"
a
somewhat
similar
mechanism
prevails,
by
which
fertilization
is
largely
effected
by
the
changed
position
or
angle
of
the
stigma
plane.
And
thus
we
might
proceed
through
all
the
orchid
genera,
each
new
device,
though
based
upon
one
of
the
foregoing
plans,
affording
its
new
surprise
in
its
special
modification
in
adaptation
to
its
insect
sponsor--all
these
various
shapes,
folds
of
petals,
positions,
colors,
the
size,
length,
and
thickness
of
nectary,
the
relative
positions
of
pollen
and
stigma,
embodying
an
expression
of
welcome
to
the
insect
with
which
its
life
is
so
marvellously
linked.
Occasionally
this
astounding
affinity
is
faithful
to
a
single
species
of
insect,
which
thus
becomes
the
sole
sponsor
of
the
blossom,
without
whose
association
the
orchid
would
become
extinct.
A
remarkable
instance
of
this
special
adaptation
is
seen
in
the
great
Angraecum
orchid
of
Madagascar,
described
by
Darwin;
and
inasmuch
as
this
species
glorifies
Darwin's
faith
in
the
truth
of
his
theory,
and
marks
a
notable
victory
in
the
long
battle
for
its
supremacy,
it
affords
an
inspiring
theme
for
my
closing
paragraphs.
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