186 
erable, so that the values given in the measurements of the cells, 
which are the averages of the cells taken from base to apex of about 
twenty specimens in every case, cannot be found applicable to all 
cases, but I trust that the proportion which these figures form will 
be found to be very constant. Such has been the experience in 
all cases examined. Furthermore, it should be said that having 
selected as carefully as possible a seed that illustrated most fully 
the characters of its species, it was drawn as it actually existed. 
No attempt has been made to introduce into the drawings the 
salient points of the species that were not already present. So 
that while some features may not be well brought out I judge that 
this course will result in a truer representation of the seeds and in 
less liability to error. 
Looking at the seeds as a whole, a unity of form, structure, and 
organization appear as constant features of family relationship. 
A comparison of the seeds, however, reveals wide variation and 
establishes relationship as told by the seeds themselves widely 
differing from that of the Manuals of Botany. In some instances 
the relative positions of genera remained unchanged. More often 
not only does a misplacement of genera seem manifest, but a total 
disarrangement of tribal relations results. By a comparison of the 
figures and their explanations the natural relationship of the species 
as based upon the seed characters at once becomes apparent. 
Two extreme types are manifest; the one characterized by its 
elongated tapering testa and elongated cells. Of this Zipularia is 
the type, to which stand related more or less closely, as is shown 
by the plates, Aplectrum and Calypso, Gyrostachys and Peramium, 
Cypripedium, Pogonia and Orchis. The opposing type is charac- 
terized by obovoid or inflated teste and shorter cells often equilat- 
eral. Of this Corallorhiza or Hexalectris may be taken as the 
type, and as related would appear Listera, Achroanthes and Liparis, 
Habenaria, Arethusa and Epipactis and Limodorum. 
The genera have been taken up in the sequence followed in 
the Sixth Edition of Dr. Asa Gray’s Manual of Botany, of the 
Northern United States. 
1. ACHROANTHES, Raf. 
Achroanthes unifolia (Michx.) Raf. (Microstylis ophioglossoides, 
Nutt.) Testa obovoid, about twice as long as thick, averaging = 
