410 DB. M. T. MASTERS OH THE rLORATi 



intermediate stages between perfect union and perfect dialysis of 

 the sepals. Where the upper median sepal is present, it some- 

 times happens that the two lateral sepals are greatly reduced in 

 size, so that various stages occur between the ordinary condition 

 and one of dimery and decussation of parts. In all cases where 

 the median stamen, Ai, is fertile, the large shield-like staminode, 

 X , which forms so characteristic a feature in ordinary Cy])ripe- 

 dium flowers, is absent. In one flower of (7. Lawrenceamtm m 

 which the perianth was dimerous, the androe- 



P 



S Ai S 



G 



ai a2 

 L 



monstrous flower 

 of C. Lawrence- 



amtm, 



cium was trimerous, the stamens present being 

 one of the outer row, Ai, and two of the inner 

 row, ai, a2, thus : 



It w^ill be observed that one stigma alone was 

 developed in the median line, but whether that 

 one represented Gi or a combination of Gs and Diagrammatic 



^ T T . . -r , illustration ot ar- 



1^3, as under ordinary circumstances, 1 was not rangement in a 

 able to ascertain. 



Monandrous and diandrous flowers have been 

 already alluded to ; so that I may now pass on 

 to flowers in which the number of stamens was greater. 



Pleiomeet. 



II. Increased Numler of Farts. — This is illustrated by the 

 occasional presence of an increased number of lips. This aug- 

 mentation may be due to an actual increase in the number of 

 petals, to a division of one petal into tw^o, or, more frequently, 

 either to the development of the lateral petals in the form of lips, 

 or to the appearance of one or more of the stamens in the guise 

 of labella. An instance of increased number of petals in Cypri- 

 pedium superliens was lately communicated to me by Mr. James. 

 In this flower the sepals, androecium, and the gynsecium were 

 all normal; but the corolla was represented by four petals, the 

 two lower ones in the form of lips (see figs. 3, 4). Possibly these 

 were not really two labella, but were constituted of one dividing 

 into two at a very early stage ; but this could not be determined 

 in the adult flower. 



Plurality of the stamens occurs in diflferent degrees. Hitherto 

 I have not met with any absolute increase in number beyond the 

 typical six ; but I have now met with instances of the presence 

 in Cypripedium of from one to six stamens in different flowers, 

 either in a fertile or in a petaloid condition, and upon some of 

 these I shall now comment. 



