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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

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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.