RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1862.06.01 [Note on Fly Ophrys.] CUL-DAR70.23. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 8.2021. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR70 contains material for Darwin's book Orchids (2d ed. 1877).
June 1 62 Fly Ophrys
I have now given rigorous examination of shining surface of base of labellum - I find the cells of this part filled (when slice cut off) with dark red fluid, & cells when punctured become colourless, so that nature affords taste & I can hardly yet give up, as I must mention that the part is punctured; yet I have just looked carefully at 4 such surfaces of flowers with removed pollinia; one
had some white cells, though I could not see puncture, but 3 others, which had pollinia removed, showed not a vestige of puncture. The case utterly inexplicable to me. The Lab. of one was slightly gnawed, but not so of others.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 25 September, 2022