' \ 



of the exterior series of floral organs found in Epistephium. 

 It would, therefore, seem as if the ordinary condition of the 

 flowers of Orchidaceae were in a sort of middle state between 

 two extremes,^ of which Epistephium is the most complete, 

 and Monomeria, in which there are no petals, the most im- 



Fig. 1 represents a flower viewed from the side; 2. is the 

 same, with the sepals cut away so as to expose the petals, lip. 



and column : 3 



labellum 



4. are the four unequal pollen-masses 



little from within 



