On the Various Contrivances by Which British and Foreign Orchids are Fertilised by Insects And on the Good Effect of Intercrossing

About this book

A reprint of a classical work in the Cambridge Library Collection.

In this investigation of orchids, first published in 1862, Darwin expands on a point made in On the Origin of Species that he felt required further explanation, namely that he believes it to be 'a universal law of nature that organic beings require an occasional cross with another individual'. Darwin explains the method by which orchids are fertilised by insects, and argues that the intricate structure of their flowers evolved to favour cross pollination because of its advantages to the species. The book is written in Darwin's usual precise and elegant style, accessible despite its intricate detail. It includes a brief explanation of botanical terms and is illustrated with 34 woodcuts.

Contents

Introduction

1. Structure of orchids
2. Ophreae continued
3. Epipactis palustris, curious shape of the labellum and its apparent importance in the fructification of the flower
4. Malaxis paludosa, simple means of fertilisation
5. Cattleya, simple manner of fertilisation
6. Catasetidae, the most remarkable of all orchids
7. Homologies of orchid-flowers

Index

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