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136
My Studio Neighbors
·
W. Hamilton Gibson
78
The
numerous
and
conclusive
demonstrations
of
Darwin,
however,
have
proved
that
in
the
competition
for
existence
such
self-fertilized
offspring
quickly
yield
before
the
progeny
of
cross-fertilization.
But
the
distinctive
feature
of
the
orchids
lies
in
the
fact
that
this
dependence
on
the
insect
is
wellnigh
universally
absolute.
Here
are
a
great
host
of
plants
which
are
doomed
to
extinction
if
for
any
reason
their
insect
sponsors
should
permanently
neglect
them.
The
principal
botanical
feature
which
differentiates
the
orchid
from
other
plants
lies
in
the
construction
of
the
floral
organs,
the
pistil,
stigma,
and
anthers
here
being
united
into
a
distinct
part
known
as
the
column.
The
pollen
is,
moreover,
peculiar,
being
collected
into
more
or
less
compact
masses,
and
variously
concealed
in
the
flower.
Some
of
these
are
club-shaped,
with
a
viscid
extremity,
others
of
the
consistency
of
a
sticking-plaster,
and
all
are
hidden
from
external
view
in
pouches
and
pockets,
from
which
they
never
emerge
unless
withdrawn
on
the
body
of
an
insect.
The
various
devices
by
which
this
removal
is
insured
are
most
astonishing
and
awe-inspiring.
Nor
is
it
necessary
to
go
to
the
conservatory
for
a
tropical
specimen,
as
is
commonly
supposed.
An
orchid
is
an
orchid
wherever
it
grows,
and
our
native
list
of
some
fifty
species
will
afford
examples
of
as
strange
mechanical
adaptations
as
are
to
be
found
among
Darwin's
pages.
Indeed,
a
few
of
our
American
species
are
there
described.
One
example
will
suffice
for
present
illustration--the
sweet-pogonia
or
grass-pink
of
our
sedgy
swamps
(Pogonia
ophioglossoides).
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