RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1875.07.24. [Note on Orchis maculata.] CUL-DAR70.66. Edited by John van Wyhe (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).
[66]
Orchis maculata July 24 1875 very wet season & so not good for Lepidoptera. Many pods not set at base, & generally at extreme apex many not set, but the spike there not conspicuous. In some cases as many set at near top as at base.
Number of spec. |
Set |
Not set |
|
1 |
16 |
28 |
set quite indiscriminately, except very summit |
2 |
23 |
16 |
mostly set toward summit |
3 |
7 43 |
12 |
set ones mostly the lower one |
4 |
10 |
26 |
mostly lower but some close to top |
5 |
13 |
17 |
rather more of the lower ones set but not very distinct difference The 3rd & 4th from top are set . X |
6 |
13 |
6 |
The few not-set ones are near the top except one abt the middle Several set ones in top half & the highest of all is set |
|
82 |
105 [+] 82 [=] 187 |
|
Considering how the flowers are crowded it is not at all surprising that all do not set. Counted because Delpino says that only the lower flowers set because the insects find out they are being cheated.
As bees leave nectary, if one is dry it is impossible to believe such rubbish & go on surely.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 25 September, 2022