The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-07-11


II Is able to run quite as 1o11 = 49, .,.
III us Ordinary position The advantages of such
an equipment will readily be aDpreciated nv
of tt nave Witnessed the awkward efforts
u U'ler species of crabs, turtles and various
KINGS OF bugs to right or prope themselves when
lying on their backs
Another remarkable example of typical racial
FEATURES is found in the earbone of fnback
MhaIe winch was picked up Norway beach
II mas all the features of a Scandinavian face
OF low caste, with rounded cheek bones fat nose
bridge, small upper lip and receding Jaw. In
general appearance, however the face is more
nke death mask than that of a living person
mat thls was not a freak formation is proved bv
an examination of the ear-bones of other fnback
whales at the Smithsonian institution in Wash
lngton, all of which have substantially the same
form
In the plant kingdom natures limitations are
equally astonishing and much more numerous
than III 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 it is true that
some of the supposed Hkenesses are more or less
imaginative, others wonderfully distinct and
will bear close scrutiny This is particularly true
of the holy ghost orchid, which contains within
each of its blossoms pigeon with half spread
wings. 1t is necessary to view the blossom from
squarely in front, in the 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 so perfect
that it looks If ready to take flight The plant.
which is native of the Isthmus of Panama is
very rare, there being perhaps not more than
half a dozen specimens in the United States, in
Guiding two in the greenhouses of the White
House at Washington 1t grows sturdiIy, but, in
order to thrive, has to be kept in dollhouse
with the temperature of Turkish bath
In all of the instances referred to above the
resemblance is mainly due to the lip or labellum
of the bloom. Now orchids rank admittedly
among the most highly specialized flowers, while
their extraordinary notifications the result
largely If 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
quite unable to get seed. The labeIlum is the
recognized alighting platform upon which the in
sect stands while it probes the recesses Of the
flower in search of nectar; and orchids
SO closely associated with insects, must
sumo that the special shape of the labellum in
the convenience of the guests that specially
catered for by the flower in question. In certain
instances this is actually known to be the case.
Throughout the great orchid family the labellum
exhibits an almost endless variety of cOnfgura-
ton, and we are justified in the assumption that
each form is exactly adapted to attract, up
hold a particular kind Of insect.