464 orchidacejs. (orchis family.) 
pod, with innumerable minute seeds, appearing like fine 
saw-dust. Perianth of 6 divisions in 2 sets ; the 3 outer 
(sepals) of the same petal-like texture and appearance as 
the 3 inner (petals'), of which the upper or posterior one, 
but by the twisting of the ovary or stalk generally appear¬ 
ing the lower or anterior, differs more or less in shape or 
direction from the others, is often spurred or appendaged, 
and is called the lip . Opposite this, in the axis of the flower, 
is the column , which is composed of a single stamen (or in 
Cypripedium of 2 fertile stamens) entirely coherent and 
confluent with the style, on which the 2-celled anther is 
variously situated. — Perennial herbs, often tuber-bearing, 
or with tuberous or thickened roots. Leaves parallel-nerv¬ 
ed. Flowers commonly showy and singular in shape, spik¬ 
ed, racemed, or solitary, bracted. 
Synopsis. 
I. Anther single. 
Tribe 1. MALAXIDE.cE. — Pollen cohering in definite (4) waxy 
masses, without any connecting tissue or tail-like prolongation. 
* Plants green and with leaves. Sepals spreading: lip flat. 
1. Microstylis. Lip arrow-shaped or heart-shaped. Column mi¬ 
nute, round. 
2. Liparis. Lip entire, dilated. Column elongated, margined at 
the apex. 
* * Plants tawny or purplish, leafless, or with a single root-leaf only r 
sepals and petals conniving. 
3. Corallorhiza. Lip with a spur or projection at the base adhe¬ 
rent to the ovary. Anther terminal: cells oblique. 
4. Aplectrum. Lip spurless, free, raised on a claw. Anther rather 
lateral. 
Tribe 2. vAnDE^E. — Pollen cohering in definite (2 or 4) waxy 
masses, furnished with an elastic prolongation (caudicle). 
5. Tipularia. Lip long-spurred underneath. Flowers racemed. 
6. Calypso. Lip inflated-sac-like, spurless, large. Column winged. 
Flower solitary. 
Tribe 3. OPHRYDE.E. — Pollen cohering in very numerous 
grains which are collected on a cobweb-like tissue into 2 large 
