Page:Darwin - The various contrivances by which orchids are fertilized by insects (1877).djvu/18

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xiv
CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

GRADATION OF ORGANS, &C.—CONCLUDING REMARKS.

Gradation of organs, of the rostellum, of the pollen-masses—Formation of the caudicle—Genealogical affinities—Secretion of nectar—Mechanism of the movement of the pollinia—Uses of the petals—Production of seed—Importance of trifling details of structure—Cause of the great diversity of structure in the flowers of Orchids—Cause of the perfection of the contrivances—Summary on insect-agency—Nature abhors perpetual self-fertilisation Page 247–293




Index 294