2. The vascular traces supplying the staminode, func- 
tional stamens and stigmas, all run only for a very short 
distance in a common tissue; hence a definite structure 
like the gynostemium is almost absent or highly reduced 
in these plants. However reduced this structure may be, 
the following six vascular traces may always be recog- 
nized in a transverse section (Fig. 2C): 
a. Al occupying a dorsal median position, 
b. al and a2 occupying a lateral position, and 
ce. G1, G2 and G8, all three together occupying a place just 
below Al. 
3. Link (1849) thought that the fertile lateral anthers 
of Cypripedilinae originated by the division of the median 
stamen, the staminode being looked upon as an enor- 
mously developed connective. Masters’ observations on 
teratological material have already cast a doubt on the 
tenability of this view. The present studies also suggest 
that Link’s interpretation is erroneous. 
Tyrer II. (Seen in the members of Ophrydinae; Fig. 
4, D, Kand F). The main trace, DS, gives rise to the 
traces that supply the median stigma (G1), the median 
stamen, Al, and the median trace of the corresponding 
sepal. The marginal traces for this sepal are supplied by 
the main traces underlying the lateral petals (LP). The 
main trace (MP) does not give rise to any other trace 
excepting the median one of the labellum and its spur, 
which is merely a downward pouch-like extension of the 
labellum; the marginal traces are supplied by those of 
the adjacent perianth lobes of the outer whorl (LS). The 
main traces underlying the lateral sepals, in addition to 
forming the median and marginal traces of these lobes, 
give rise to the traces, G2 and G8, which supply the 
lateral stigmas. 
It may also be noted that the marginal traces of the 
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