Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-07-17

a. - &l
= = aoie 70 run quite as well in that fashion as
- y ordinary position. The advantages of such
an equipment will readily be Appreciated Inv
tlose VINO have Witnessed the awkward efforts
= 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
1eatures Is found in the earbone Of a finback
whale which was picked up on a Norway beach
- mas all the features Of a Scandinavian face.
OF low caste, with rounded cheek bones. fat nose
bridge, small upper lip and receding law. IN
general appearance, however, the face is more
Ike a death mask than that of q living nerson
Tnat this was not a freak formation is proved by
an examination of the ear-bones Of other 6nback
whales at the Smithsonian Institution in Wash
mgton, 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 orSvegetable 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.
Fand the holy ghost orchid. While it is true that
some OF the supposed 1ikenesses 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 half spread
wings. 1t Is necessary to view the blossom from
lsquarely 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 SO perfect
that 1t looks as 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
Icluding 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 ofea 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 are 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 are
uufte unable to get seed. The labellum is the
recognized ~alighting platform upon which the in
sect stands while 1t probes the recesses of the
flower in search Of nectar; and as orchids are
10 closely associated with insects. we must as
aume that the special shape Of the labellum In
each instance is more or less definitely related to
Che convenience Of the guests that are specially
catered for by the flower in question. In certain
fnatances this is actually known to be the case.
srbrouehout the great orchid family the labellum
.xbfbits. an almost endless variety OF conigura-
f,on. and we are justified in the assumption that
.uch form is exactly adapted to attract. or up
Hold a. particular kind of insect