| → of mere variety, like toys in a shop. 1866 |
| end being gained by the most diversified means well deserves attention. 1869 1872 |
|
| ↑ 1 blocks not present in 1859 1860 1861 1866; present in 1869 1872 |
| Some authors maintain that organic beings have been formed in many ways for the sake of mere variety, almost like toys in a shop, but such a view of nature is incredible.
|
|
| → light 1866 |
| pollen-grains, which are light 1869 1872 |
|
| → with the nectar 1866 |
| The nectar may be 1869 1872 |
|
| → an acme of perfect 1866 |
| a case of extraordinary 1869 1872 |
|
| → its 1866 |
| part of its 1869 1872 |
|
| → which and outside 1866 |
| this chamber 1869 1872 |
|
|
the
→of mere variety, like toys in a shop.
↑
With plants having separated sexes, and with those in which, though hermaphrodites, the pollen does not spontaneously fall on the stigma, some aid is necessary for their fertilisation. With several kinds this is effected by the
→light
and
being blown by the wind through mere chance on to the stigma; and this is the simplest plan which can well be conceived. An almost equally simple, though very different, plan occurs in many
in which a symmetrical flower secretes a few drops of nectar, and is consequently visited by insects; and these carry the pollen from the anthers to the stigma. |
|
| From this simple stage we may pass through an
number of contrivances, all for the same purpose and effected in essentially the same manner, but entailing changes in every part of the
→with the nectar
stored in variously shaped receptacles, with the stamens and pistils modified in many ways, sometimes forming trap-like contrivances, and sometimes capable of neatly adapted movements through irritability or elasticity. From such structures we may advance till we come to such
→an acme of perfect
as
lately
described by Dr. Crüger in the
Coryanthes. This orchid has
→its
labellum or lower lip hollowed out into a great bucket, into which drops of almost pure
continually fall from two secreting horns which stand above it; and when the bucket is half full, the water overflows by a spout on one side. The basal part of the labellum
over the bucket, and is itself hollowed out into a sort of chamber with two lateral
within
→which and outside
there are
curious fleshy ridges.
|
