C0N-FORMA.TI0K OP THE aEKUS CrPRIPKOniM. 421 



stamens may be present in the form of lips, as in a flower of 

 G. Sedenix, previously mentioned. 



The change from the ordinary zygomorphic or irregular form 

 to a state of actinomorphy or regularity is thus shown, not only 

 m the equalized form and size of the parts of the flower, but also 

 in their regularity of arrangement, either in a binary and decus- 

 sate or in a ternary radiating manner. Whether the peloria 

 be regular, or whether it be irregular, tlie result is thus seen to be 

 tbe same — a zygomorphic flower becomes actinomorphic. 



COMBIKATIOIf OF TEKDKJfCIES. 



J 



The changes just referred to may occur separately, but it is 

 more common to find them associated with others : thus aa in- 

 creased number of stamens is associated with regular peloria, 

 and sometimes with independence of the sepals, as in Mr. Bull's 

 specimen/ or it may be that the increase in the number of stamens 

 is connected with their development in the form of lips, as in 

 irregular peloria. In irregular zygomorphic flowers, or in those 

 which show a tendency to become so, it often happens that if one 

 part, say the median sepal in Ci/^ripednim, is larger than the lateral 

 petals, the part opposite to it in the succeeding whorl is also 

 larger than its fellows : thus in Cypripcdium the large median or 

 dorsal sepal is on one side of the flower, the largest petal (the lip) 

 on the other; the large shield-like staminode is on one side, the, 

 large stigma on the other. This is of course a frequent tendency 

 in flowers, as in Eremophila^ where one large sepal is placed on 

 the opposite side of the flower to the largest lobe of the corolla, 



CHAIfl-OES EESTTLTIXG FEOM HrBlilDIZATlOX. 



The Cypripedium Sedenix^ which prese^^ts so many monstrous 



Messrs 



longifoli 



p. 1431. By its 3-celIed ovary it falls into the section Seleni- 

 pedium^ which some prefer to consider a distinct genus, not 

 only for structural, but also for geographical reasons, as it is the 

 tropical American representative of the tropical Asiatic group. 

 It is noteworthy that, according to Mr. Seden, the raiser, Ci/pri- 

 pedium Sedenix is produced whichever ypecies be used as the 

 seed-parent. Whether C. longifolium be fertilized by the pollen 

 of G.ScUimii.oT the reverse, the result is the same*. The 



* Reichenbacb, in Gard. Ohron. ^.c. ; Veitch Orchid Conference Report, 

 Joum. R. Hort. Soc. Loud, vii. (1886) p, 3(), 



