Fecundation in Orchidee and Asclepiadea. 699 
With reference to the support the hypothesis may derive 
from the monstrosity described by M. His, I may add that 
I have met with more than one case of similar conversion into 
stamina of the inner series of the perianthium, or at least of its 
two lateral divisions, with a manifest tendency to the same 
change in the labellum: and in one of these cases, namely 
Neottia picta, in addition to the conversion of the two lateral 
divisions of the perianthium, the lateral processes of the column 
were also completely developed. 
The next point examined was the composition of the Stigma 
with the relation of its lobes or divisions to the other parts of 
the flower, and especially to the supposed component parts of 
the ovarium. On this subject very little information is to be 
obtained from the writings of botanists, most of whom have 
contented themselves with describing the stigma as a disk, a 
fovea glutinosa, a secreting surface, or viscid space in front of 
the column. The late celebrated Richard however, who adverts 
to the occasional existence of two lateral processes of his gyni- 
zus, may be supposed to have had more correct notions of its 
composition: and it may also be observed, that in Curtis's plate 
of Ophrys apifera already referred to, and still more distinctly 
in Mr. Bauer's figure of Orchis mascula, the two lateral lobes are 
represented as distinct, corresponding very exactly with Haller's 
description, in 1742, of the stigma in this genus. 
The result of my examination of this point satisfied me that 
Orchidez have in reality three stigmata, generally more or less 
confluent, but in some cases manifestly distinct, and two of 
which are in several instances even furnished with styles of 
considerable length. 
These stigmata are placed R to the three outer divisions 
of the perianthium, and consequently terminate the axes of the 
supposed component parts of the ovarium, always regarded by 
me 
