A CELEBRATED FAMILY
Do you know this pretty flower (Fig. [226])?
Fig. 226
It is the yellow lady’s slipper. It lives deep in the woods of May, perhaps part way up the mountain side. It has several sisters. One of these is the pink lady’s slipper, which blossoms just a little later. Another is the white lady’s slipper. This comes late in June, and is one of the loveliest of our wild flowers.
These three sisters belong to a celebrated family, that of the Orchids.
The Orchid family is noted for the beauty of its flowers, and for the pains which these take to attract the attention of the bees.
The building plan used by the orchids is too difficult for you to learn yet awhile. Perhaps the orchids take more trouble than any other flowers to have their pistils well dusted with pollen. A good landing place for the bee is provided; signs are hung out to point the way to the hidden nectar; and if directions are followed, the pistil is sure to receive the wished-for pollen.
This picture (Fig. [227]) shows you an orchid which you see in the windows of flower shops during the winter. It comes to us from far South, not growing out of doors in our climate.
