of any species in the genus is that of Prof. Barbosa Rodrigues(G9Q 
et Sp. Nov. Orch. i. p. 29), where he says of his Cheiroptero- 
cephalus sertuliferus (Microstylis histionantha), * L’anthére lors de 
| l'anthére est douée d'un mouvement qui la redresse et fait que lea 
pollinies sont éjaculées sur le stigmatie.” If this be commonly 
the case in this species, it must be self-fertilized. The pollinia 
in most cases fall out very readily; but as the flower is resu- 
pinate, it would fall away from the stigma towards the back of 
the column. Darwin, however, when treating of Malaxis *, makes 
a few remarks on the structure of “M. Eheedii " from India (pro- 
bably M. versicolor), and shows that Malazis, the habit of which 
is so similar to Microstylis of the Dienia section, is always and 
readily fertilized by insects. 
Distribution.—The genus, as has been already said, is almost 
as widely distributed as Liparis; but it is not so abundant. 
There is a single species in Europe, which extends all through the 
north temperate zone. In the African region only two closely 
allied and peculiar species are known—one from Prince's Island, 
the other from the Qomore Islands. N one are yet known from 
respectiv ely as far as Afghanistan and Australia. There are 
three or four in the Polynesian Islinds. In America there are a 
considerable number, including the whole sections of Umbellulate, 
Pedilea, and the 1-leaved Dienias. The larger number come 
from Central America. 
Divisions.—As the typical form of Microstylis may be taken 
M. monophyllos, a species of the widest distribution, occurring in 
both hemispheres. From some such species as this, with its 
raceme of minute green flowers and usually single leaf, the 
Dienias of South America may be derived. Some of these have 
long capillary pedicels to the flower, which in M. ophioglossoides 
of North America show a tendency to become congested at the 
 spex of thescape. This modification attains its greatest develop- 
ment in the Umbellulate, in which the rhachis is much shortened 
- and the pedicels so much equalized in length, that at first sight 
the inflorescence seems to form a true umbel. In the group 
represented by Af. Afassonii the pedicels are long and slender, 
and the flowers are crowded towards the end of the raceme, 
rather densely so as to form a kind of head; but the rhachis is 
* Fertiliz. Orch. p. 134. 
LINN. JOURN.—BOTANY, VOL. XXIV. 2c 
