The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-07-11

II is able 10 run quite as well In that fashion as
IN Its ordinary position. The advantages of such
an equipment will readily be appreciated by
those who have witnessed the awkward efforts
OF other species Of crabs, turtles, and various
kinds OF bugs to right or propel themselves when
lying on their backs.
Another remarkable example of typical racial
features is found in the earbone of fnback
whale which was picked up on Norway beach
1t has all the features Of q Scandinavian face
Of low caste with rounded cheek bones, fiat nose
bridge, small upper lip and receding Jaw In
general appearance, however. the face Is more
like death mask than that Of living person.
That this was not freak formation is proved by
an examination Of the ear-bones of other inback
whales at the Smithsonian institution in Wash.
ington, all Of which have substantially the same
form.
In the plant kingdom natures limitations are
equally astonishing and much more numerous
than In either the animal or vegetable kingdoms.
There are several species Of Orchids for instance
bearing popular names which suggest the likeness
OF the flower to some member Of the animal
kingdom, among them being the man orchid. the
bee orchid, the spider orchid. the lizard orchid.
and the holy ghost orchid. While II Is true that
some Of the supposed licensees are more or less
imaginative. others are wonderfully distinct and
will bear close scrutiny This is particularly true
Of the holy ghost orchid. which contains within
each Of its blossoms a pigeon with han spread
wings. 1t is necessary to view the blossom from
squarely In 'front.' as In the case Of the lower
blossom shown in the accompanying photograph.
to get the full effect of the resemblance. When
viewed from this position, the bird is 30 perfect
that It looks as II ready to take flight. The plant.
which Is a native Of the Isthmus of Panama is
very rare. there being perhaps not more than
half dozen specimens In the United States In.
GLIDING two in the greenhouses Of the White
House at Washington. II grows sturdily, but in
order to thrive, has to be kept In q dollhouse
with the temperature of Turkish bath.
In all of the instances referred to above the
Of the bloom. Now orchids rank admittedly
among the most highly specialized flowers. while
their extraordinary notifications are the result
largely II not entirely of insect Interference.
Many Of these flowers depend entirely Upon the
visits Of insects for pollination and without the
aid Of these winged emissaries Of Cupid they are
quite unable to get seed. The labellum IL the
recognized alighting platform upon which the in
sect stands while It probes the recesses Of the
flower IN search Of nectar; and as orchids are
% closely associated with insects. we must as.
sumo that the special shape of the labelium In
each instance II more less definitely related to
the convenience Of the guests that are specially
catered for by the flower in question In certain
instances this Ii actually known to be the case.
Throughout the great orchid family the labellum
exhibits an almost endless variety Of conngura-
ton, and We are justified In the assumption that
each form 10 exactly adapted to attract or up
hold. particular kind Of insect.