onviiiDE.E. 151 



the polHniii, or pollrn-masses, cominp; iii contact with it. And it is, douhtlcss, 

 owing to the fact that the pollinia in Denilrobiuni arc wholly free, and so easily 

 full out and away from the flower, that ripened pods arc so rare in this genus as 

 compared with some others, such as Aeridi's and Succoluhiuin, whoso pollinia are 

 not free. 



But we must not throw away our llower yet, for wo have not quite finished its 

 examiuati<ni. It was said that the outer three segments of tlu; perianth or sepals 

 ■were tolerably uniform ; this, however, luis reference to their upper part only, for 

 it will be seen that the two lateral sepals arc drawn out backwards (as is also the 

 base of the lip), and have there become rmin/ite, i.e. have grown one with the back 

 part of the colunm, which is lengthened beliind into a horn or spur. Wc have now 

 noticed all the principal parts of an Orchid tlower, and these arc all to ho looked 

 for and found in nearly every Orchid, though it is not to be suitposed that they will 

 be alwa)'s discovered as readilj- as in our typical liower. For Orchids are given to 

 much concealment and to many disguises, in short, to mastjuerading in the most 

 wanton and bizarre costumes, and they will sometimes hide their features if they 

 can ; though it is this very fairy-like wantonness that gives them their chief charm ; 

 and, like similar behaviour elsewhere, is doubtless meant rather to attract than to 

 repel. Sometimes you will look in vain for six segments, and must be content with 

 five, as in Ci/pripedium, whore the two lower sepals are connate and form but one, 

 and these two together often smaller than the upper one, which stands nobly np, 

 like the standard in a Papilionaceous tlower, and is generally the most striking 

 feature. Sometimes you may search in vain for the petals — for they may be so 

 minute as hardly to he seen, as in Munomrria — or wholly transformed into something- 

 else, as into a fringe in Epicrauthes. If, again, you should be fortunate enough to 

 obtain that singular little gem, Brymoda picta, you will wonder what in the world 

 has become of the two lateral sepals, till, upon more careful inspection, you find 

 them close to the lip, far away at the end of a long and unusual projection. This 

 projection is the " mcntiim." The column, which in our Dendruhium was produced 

 backwards into a spur or horn, is, in Jiiilhopliiillum and other Orchids, projected 

 forwards, in a greater or less degree, and then it is called a iiieiifiiiii. This forward 

 projection is extraordinary (i.e. for the size of the flower, which is altogether very 

 small) in DnjDinda. The column again, which is very short in some Orchids, is 

 veiy long and prominent in others, as in Caloyync. Lastly, the lip is variously 

 attached to the column, sometimes being connate with its base, sometimes articulated 

 or jointed with it, and this in a greater or less degree ; so sliglitly, for instance, in 

 UtdhophyUHm as to shake tremulously with ever}- movement of the flower. It is 

 the Hp also whicli assumes that endless variety of fantastic form and colouring 

 which is familiar to those who have studied or cultivated this most singular and 

 charming order of plants. 



But while all this variety and prodigality of beauty has been the admiration of 

 the cultivator, it has been the difficulty of the botanist who would systematize and 

 arrange. One may easily form an idea of the immense ditticulties which so Protean 

 an order, yet, withal, so nattiral a one, must present. Of this systematic arrange- 

 ment it is now time to speak. The main divisions of the order were made by 

 Lindley — the acknowledged master of it while he lived — to depend on ditferonces in 

 the pollen-masses. These diti'erenccs will soon be perceived to be considerable by 

 any one who will take the trouble to examine them. Some, as those of Demholium 

 and Bulhophylluin, are rounded, firm and waxy. Others, as those of most terrestrial 

 genera, are loose in structure and granular. Of the former, besides that they vaiy 

 in number, some are quite free, without any appendage, or attachment to each other, 

 or to tiie stigma; others have such ai)i)endage or attachment though varying in form 

 and character. Of the latter, the form and position of their anther furnishes dis- 

 tinctive marks. Those who would know more must consult works which treat on the 

 subject. Suftice it to say, here, that Lindley's arrangement, as set forth in his 

 " Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants " (the only recognized text-book 

 available by me, and my mainstaj- during all my residence in Burma) is as 

 follows : — 



