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136
My Studio Neighbors
·
W. Hamilton Gibson
79
Its
solitary
rosy
blossom,
nodding
on
its
slender
stem
above
the
sedges,
is
always
a
welcome
episode
to
the
sauntering
botanist,
and
its
perfume,
suggesting
ripe
red
raspberries,
is
unique
in
the
wild
bouquet.
One
of
these
flowers
is
shown
in
profile
at
Fig.
14,
its
various
parts
indexed.
Concealed
behind
the
petals
is
the
column,
elsewhere
indicated
from
various
points
of
view.
Attracted
by
its
color
and
fragrance,
the
insect
seeks
the
flower;
its
outstretched
fringy
lip
offers
a
cordial
invitation
at
its
threshold,
and
conducts
its
visitor
directly
to
the
sweets
above.
In
his
entrance,
as
seen
at
D
(Fig.
15),
the
narrowed
passage
compresses
his
back
against
the
underside
of
the
column,
forcing
his
head
and
back
against
the
stigma.
The
effect
of
this
inward
pressure,
as
will
be
seen,
only
serves
to
force
the
anther
more
firmly
within
its
pocket;
but
as
the
insect,
having
drained
the
nectar,
now
backs
out,
note
the
result.
The
lip
of
the
anther
catches
upon
the
back,
swings
outward
on
its
hinge,
and
deposits
its
sticky
pollen
all
over
the
insect's
back,
returning
to
its
original
position
after
his
departure.
In
another
moment
he
is
seen
upon
another
blossom,
as
at
D
again,
his
pollen-laden
back
now
coming
in
contact
with
the
stigma,
and
the
intention
of
the
blossom
is
accomplished;
for
without
this
assistance
from
the
insect
the
little
lid
remains
close
within
its
pocket,
and
the
pollen
is
thus
retained.
What
startling
disclosures
are
revealed
to
the
inward
eye
within
the
hearts
of
all
these
strange
orchidaceous
flowers!
Blossoms
whose
functions,
through
long
eras
of
adaptation,
have
gradually
shaped
themselves
to
the
forms
of
certain
chosen
insect
sponsors;
blossoms
whose
chalices
are
literally
fashioned
to
bees
or
butterflies;
blossoms
whose
slender,
prolonged
nectaries
invite
and
reward
the
murmuring
sphinx-moth
alone,
the
floral
throat
closely
embracing
his
head
while
it
attaches
its
pollen
masses
to
the
bulging
eyes,
or
perchance
to
the
capillary
tongue!
And
thus
in
endless
modifications,
evidences
all
of
the
same
deep
vital
purpose.
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