264 MONOEPIGYNEE, 
corolla in 3 segments, usually coloured : two of the segment 
are lateral, on each side of the higher segment of the 
and themselves higher than the other segment of the corolla, 
which is called the lip or labellum ; it projects between the 
lateral pieces of the calyx, is of a different figure from the 
others, frequently lobed, and often with a hollow prolonga-— 
tion or spur at the base: stamen 1 (2 abortive), forming, 
along with the style to which it is united, a column (gynos-— 
teme), arising from the top of the ovary: and having at “ its” 
anterior and upper surface a glandular depression, which is 
the stigma, and at its summit, an anther with 2 cells, open-_ 
ing either by a longitudinal suture, or by a lid which forms 
the whole of its upper part. The pollen contained in each — 
cell of the anther is united into a mass, which has the same — 
form as the cavity which contains it. At the top of the 
gynosteme, at each side of the anther, there are found two 
small tubercles, which are two abortive stamens, and which 4 
are called staminodes. These two stamens are, on the a 
contrary, developed i in the genus Cypripedium, while the 4 
middle one is abortive.”—Richard.* Thus the anthers and : 
stigma are united at the top of the column, and are oppe- 
site to the labellum; ovary inferior, 1-celled, and with three 
parietal placenta, with many small peods. Style incorpora 
__ ed with the filament; stigma facing the labellum, viseid 
pericarp a capsule dehiseing by 3-valves; seed with a reti- 
os = testa. 4 
oe 
ee as a Orchis ; Cypripedium (Lady’s Slipper) § ee 
- Malaxis (Bog Orchis); Ophrys; Epidendram. They are 
- found in all parts of the world, and chiefly in moist situa — 
= tions, and are remarkable for the beauty and stately ele 
: gance of their flowers. They are frequently parasitic. y 
ae. The peculiar union of the sexual organs into one column, 
is sufficiently characteristic of this very natural family. The 
[5 ea eam aor sean seadie 2 
