of the exterior series of floral organs found in Epistephium. 

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

 flowers of Orchidacese 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- 

 perfect. 



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. is a labellum, seen a little from within ; 

 4. are the four unequal pollen-masses. 



