46
OPHREÆ
Chap. II.
to the air, instead of lying almost hidden at the base of the anther, as in Orchis, and thus kept damp. Nevertheless, when a pollinium is removed, the caudicle bends downwards in the course of about six minutes, and, therefore, at an unusually slow rate; the upper
Fig. 5.
Ophrys muscifera, or Fly Ophrys.
| a. | anther. | s. | stigma. |
| r, r. | rostella. | l. | labellum |
A. Flower viewed in front: the two upper petals are almost cylindrical and hairy: the two rostella stand a little in advance of the bases of the anther-cells; but this is not shown from the foreshortening of the drawing.
B. One of the two pollinia removed from its anther-cell, and viewed laterally.
end still remaining curved. I formerly thought that it was incapable of any movement, but have been convinced by Mr. T. H. Farrer of my error. The ball of viscid matter is bathed in fluid within the pouch formed by the lower half of the rostellum, and this is necessary,
