Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-07-14


II IS able to run quite as vau - +bo+ f,h,, o
IN us ordinary position. The advantages of such
an equipment will readily be appreciated by
IhOse VINO have witnessed the awkward efforts
OF other species of crabs, turtles and various
hlnus 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 finback
whale which was picked up on a Norway beach
II has all the features OF a 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
IKE a death mask than that of living person
That this was not freak formation Is proved by
an examination of the earbones of other fnback
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 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 are 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. IL Is necessary TO view the blossom IT
squarely in front. 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 so perfect
that it looks if 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 a dozen specimens in the United States, IN
Guiding two in the greenhouses of the White
House at Washington. 1t grows sturdily, but, in
order TO thrive, has TO be kept in a dollhouse
with the temperature of Turkish bath
In all of the instances referred to above the
resemblance is mainly due to the lip or labeum
of the bloom. Now orchids rank admittedly
among the most highly specialized flowers while
their extraordinary notifications 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 is the
recognized alighting platform upon which the in
sect stands while II probes the rece yses OF the
flower in search of nectar; and as orchids
so closely associated with insects. must
sumo that the special shape of the labellum in
each instance is more less definitely related to
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 en- almost endless variety of confgura-
ton and we are justified in the assumption that
each form is exactly adapted to attract or up
hold a particular kind of insect