700 Mr. Brown on the Organs and Mode of 
me as made up of three simple ovaria united by their ovuli- 
ferous margins; a structure in which the ordinary relation of 
stigmata to placente is that here found. 
In Mr. Bauer's * Illustrations" already referred to, a very 
different account is given of the composition of the ovarium, 
which is there said to be formed of six pieces. 
This view of its composition seems to be founded on the 
existence of six vascular cords, on the apparent interruptions 
in the cellular tissue, and on the singular dehiscence of the 
capsule. But the mere number of vascular cords, which, being 
destined to supply all parts of the flower, may be said rather to 
indicate the divisions of the perianthium than those of the ova- 
rium, cannot be considered as affording an argument of much 
importance, and, if it were, would equally apply to many other 
families having trilocular ovaria, as lridez; while the inter- 
ruptions or inequalities of cellular tissue may be viewed as only 
the preparation for that dehiscence which, though very remark- 
able in this order, is in a great degree analogous to that taking 
place in most Crucifere, in several Leguminose, and in other 
families of plants. It may also be objected to Mr. Bauer's view 
of the composition of ovarium, that the arrangement of the 
parietal placente, which on this hypothesis would occupy the 
axes of the three alternate component parts, is contrary to every 
analogy; while the position of the stigmata, if my account 
should prove to be correct, affords evidence nearly conclusive 
of the ovarium being formed of only three parts. 
In those genera of Orchidez in which the lateral stamina are 
perfect, and the middle stamen without anthera, namely, Cypri- 
pedium and Apostasia, all these lobes or divisions of stigma are 
equally developed, are of nearly similar form and texture, and, 
as I have proved by direct experiment in Cypripedium, are all 
equally capable of performing the proper function of the organ. 
In 
