Orchis.} ORCUIDEJE. 275 



becoming loose in their cells. Ovary 1-celled, with three 

 parietal placentas; style forming part of the column of the 

 stamens ; stigma a viscid space in front of the column, commu- 

 nicating directly with the ovary by a distinct open canal. Im- 

 pregnation taking effect by absorption from the pollen-masses 

 through the gland into the stigmatic canal. Capsule inferior, 

 bursting with three valves and three ribs, very rarely baccate. 

 Seeds parietal, very numerous; testa loose, reticulated, con- 

 tracted at each end, except in one or two genera ; albumen 

 none. Embryo a solid, undivided, fleshy mass. 



Of this extensive and highly interesting and beautiful Family, 

 the greater proportion are natives of the tropics, and they gra- 

 dually diminish towards the arctic regions, where they disap- 

 pear. Vanilla is the fragrant seed-vessel of Vanilla aromatica. 

 Salep is made from the roots of Orchis mascula, and other 

 terrestrial European species. 



* Anthers of two distinct, vertical cells, fixed to the top of 

 the column, immediately above the stigma. Pollen-mass stalked, 

 composed of grains which cohere elastically, having a gland at 

 the base of the stalk. 



1. Orchis. Linn. Orchis. 



Floiver ringent. Lip spurred. Glands of the stalks of the 

 pollen-mass contained in a common little pouch. — Name ; an 

 ancient appellation of the plant. 



Gynandria. Monandria. 



* Tubers two, undivided. 



1. O. Morio, Linn. Green-winged Meadow Orchis. Lip 

 3-lobed, somewhat crenate, the middle lobe emarginate ; calyx 

 leaves ascending, ribbed, connivent, enclosing the two lateral 

 petals; spur ascending, blunt, rather shorter than the germen. 

 Br. Fl. 1. p. 370. E. Fl. v. iv. p. 11. E. Bot. t. 2059. 



Meadows and pastures. Frequent in the County of Dublin. FL 

 June. 11. — Stem from a span to a foot high. Flowers few, in a lax 

 spike. Calyx purplish green, forming a sort of helmet over the rest 

 of the flower. Lip purple, pale in the middle, with purple spots. 



2. O. mascula, Linn. Early purple Orchis. Lip 3-lobed, 

 somewhat crenate, the middle lobe emarginate ; two lateral 

 sepals reflexed upwards ; spur obtuse, rather longer than the 

 germen. Br. FL 1. p. 370. E. FL v. iv. p. 11. E. Bot. 

 t. 631. 



Woods and pastures, frequent. FL May. %.—Stem one foot high. 

 Leaves generally marked with dark purple spots. Flowers in a lax 

 oblong spike, purple ; the centre of the lip whitish at the base and 

 spotted, sometimes altogether white. 



