k, 1862, page 100,
although at that time he imagined that the fertilising insect crawled
into the flower. The extreme flexibility and elasticity of the labellum
was first observed by Mr. More (see first edition, page 99). The
description of the flower given in the above letter to Mr. More is not
quite clear; the reader is referred to the "Fertilisation of Orchids,"
loc. cit.) An insect crawling out of a recently opened flower would,
I believe, have parts of the pollen-masses adhering to the back or
shoulder. I have seen this in Listera. How I should like to watch the
Epipactis.

If you can it any time send me Spiranthes or Aceras or O. ustulata, you
would complete your work of kindness.

P.S.--If you should visit the Epipactis again, would you gather a few of
the lower flowers which have been opened for some time and have begun
to wither a little, and observe whether pollen is well cleared out of
anther-case. I have been struck with surprise that in nearly all the
lower flowers sent by you, though much of the pollen has been removed,
yet a good deal of pollen is left wasted within the anthers. I observed
something of this kind in Cephalanthera grandiflora. But I fear that you
will think me an intolerable bore.

LETTER 596. TO A.G. MORE. Down, August 5th, 1860.

I am infinitely obliged for your most clearly stated observations on
the bee-orchis. It is now perfectly clear that something removes the
pollen-masses far more with you than in this neighbourhood. But I am
utterly puzzled about the foot-stalk being so often cut through. I
should suspect snails. I yesterday found thirty-nine flowers, and of
them only one pollen-mass in three flowers had been removed, and as
these were extremely much-withered flowers I am not quite sure of
the truth of this. The wind again is a new element of doubt. Your
observations will aid me extremely in coming to some conclusion. (596/1.
Mr. More's observations on the percentage of flowers in which the
pollinia were absent are quoted in "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition
I., page 68.) I hope in a day or two to receive some day-moths, on the
probosces of which I am assured the pollen-masses of the bee-orchis
still adhere (596/2. He was doomed to disappointment. On July 17th,
1861, he wrote to Mr. More:--"I found the other day a lot of bee-Ophrys
with the glands of the pollinia all in their pouches. All facts point
clearly to eternal self-fertilisation in this species; yet I cannot
swal