312 MR. H. N. RIDLEY’S REVISION OF THE 
either form the edge of the fovea or run just inside of it, while 
the third traverses the centre, disappearing at the end of the 
fovea. Insome of the Crepidiums the two lateral veins-nly are 
observable; they run on either side of the fovea, arising from a 
basal callus, which is often bifid, showing its double origin 
(M. versicolor &c.). 
The column is usually very short and thick ; rarely, as in M. ver- 
sicolor, it is more elongate, narrowed at the base. The stelidia or 
column-wings are either short acute teeth or broader blunt lobes. 
They are frequently, in the section Crepidium, coloured bright 
emerald-green, forming a contrast with the purplelip. The anther- 
cap is depressed conical, with a short beak in front. It is somewhat 
firmly attached to the filament, so that it is commonly present in 
herbarium specimens, which is not the case in Liparis, where the 
anther-cap is almost or quite free when the flower is open. It 
is quite possible that this firmer attachment in Microstylis may 
bear some relation to the position of the flowers; for if the 
anther-cap were free in flowers with the lip uppermost, it would 
run a great risk of falling off at once on the opening of the flower, 
and carrying the pollinia with it. 
The pollinia are four in number, oval, attached by the apex, 
but without any gland or caudicle. The stigma is small and oval 
or almost semilunar, and shallow. l 
The ovary is six-ribbed, the sterile valves being usually nar- 
rower and more projecting than the fertile ones. In M. myurus 
and some others the ribs are sinuate and knobbed in the fruit, but 
not in the flower ; while in M. congesta the sinuation visible in 
the young ovary disappears as the fruit ripens. The capsule is 
oblong or elliptic oblong in outline, very similar to that of Liparis. 
During fruiting the pedicel thickens, and often elongates. The 
fruit always remains erect, and does not curve downwards as in 
some of the Liparids. 
Fertilization.—There seems to be less variation in the attrac- 
tions for the fertilizers in Microstylis than in Liparis. The base 
of the lip is depressed, as has been stated, and the three veins 
which run from the base respectively form the margins and tra- 
verse the centre. These I have sometimes found nibbled across 
as if by some insect, and are evidently the attraction. In a few 
species there is acallus at the starting-point of the veins, which ` 
probably also proves attractive. : 
The only observation I have seen recorded as to the fertilization 
