What is Fertilisation of Orchids?
{{Infobox book | name = Fertilisation of Orchids | title_orig = | translator = | image = Fertilisation of Orchids 1877 edition title page.jpg | image_caption = The title page of the 1877 edition<br />of ''Fertilisation of Orchids'' | author = [[Charles Darwin]] | illustrator = | cover_artist = | country = [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] | language = [[English language|English]] | series = | subject = [[Natural selection]]<br />[[Botany]] | genre = | publisher = John Murray | release_date = 15 May 1862 | english_release_date = | media_type = print ([[Hardcover|Hardback]]) | pages = vi + 365 | oclc = 1250711 }} [[File:NHM Xanthopan morgani.jpg|thumb|right|''Xanthopan morgani praedicta'', the [[moth]] whose existence Darwin predicted.]] '''''Fertilisation of Orchids''''' is a book by [[Charles Darwin]]. The book was published on 15 May 1862 under the full title ''On the various contrivances by which British and foreign orchids are fertilised by insects, and on the good effects of intercrossing''.<ref name=freeman>{{citation |url=http://darwin-online.org.uk/EditorialIntroductions/Freeman_FertilisationofOrchids.html |title=Fertilisation of Orchids |publisher= Darwin Online |accessdate=2009-02-02}}&nbsp;– Bibliographical introduction from: Freeman R.B. (1977) ''The Works of Charles Darwin: an annotated bibliographical handlist''. 2nd edn, Dawson: Folkstone.</ref> Darwin's previous book, ''[[On the Origin of Species]]'', had briefly mentioned [[evolution]]ary interactions between insects and the plants they fertilised. This new idea was explored in detail for [[orchids]]. The field studies and practical scientific investigations were initially a recreation for Darwin, a relief from the drudgery of writing. The work developed into enjoyable and challenging [[experiment]]s, and he was helped by his family, friends, and a wide circle of correspondents. The book was his first detailed demonstrat