660 ORCHIDER. 
OrperR LXXIX. ORCHIDESA,. 
Herbs, either terrestrial and tuberous-rooted, with annual 
herbaceous stems; or epiphytes with creeping rhizomes emitting 
fibrous or fleshy roots and bearing simple or branched leafy stems 
often thickened into pseudobulbs. Flowers hermaphrodite, soli- 
tary or in spikes or racemes or panicles, often large and showy. 
Perianth superior, irregular, of 6 free or more or less combined 
segments, in 2 series; the 3 outer (sepals) all similar or the 
dorsal one larger and more concave than the 2 lateral which are 
always alike; the 3 inner (petals) always dissimilar (except in 
Thelymitra), the 2 lateral alike, but the third (called the lip, or 
labellum) usually exceedingly different, often spurred, lobed, fringed, 
or furnished with glands or other appendages. Stamens and style 
confluent into a fleshy variously shaped central body facing the lip, 
called the column; anther usually solitary (2 in Cypripedium), 
placed on the front, top, or back of the column, and either free 
or adnate to it, persistent or deciduous, usually 2-celled; pollen 
granular or waxy, usually cohering in each cell into 1, 2, or 4 pairs 
of pollen-masses (pollinia), which are either free or attached, directly 
or by a caudicle, to a gland on the apex of the stigma (rostellum). 
Ovary inferior, 1-celled ; ovules numerous, on 3 parietal placentas ; 
stigma a viscid depression towards the top or on the front of the 
column, below the anther, facing the lp, upper margin often pro- 
duced into a beak or point called the rostellum. Fruit a 1-celled 
3-valved capsule; seeds numerous, very minute; testa loose, reticu- 
late; albumen wanting; embryo solid, fleshy. 
A very extensive and distinct family, found in almost all parts of the world, 
but rare or absent in extreme northern or southern latitudes, and on the tops of 
high alpine mountains. Most of the species found in temperate countries are 
terrestrial; but in the tropics the greater number are epiphytes, growing upon 
the branches or trunks of trees or on rocks. The genera are estimated at 340, 
the species at 5000. Notwithstanding the great extent of the order, it is 
singularly deficient in useful plants. The only one possessing any commercial 
importance is vanilla, the scented pods of which are used for flavouring delicate 
dishes or liqueurs. The great beauty and singularity of the flowers of many of 
the tropical species have caused them to be extensively cultivated in hothouses, 
and probably over 2000 distinct species are now grown by European horti- 
culturists. 
The close affinity existing between the flora of New Zealand and that of 
Australia is nowhere better shown than in the Orchidee. Out of 21 genera. 
found in New Zealand, 19 occur in Australia as well, and 8 are absolutely con- 
fined to the two countries, while several others have a very limited additional 
range. The only genera with a wide distribution are Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum, 
and Spiranthes. Earina, which does not occur in Australia, is found in the 
Pacific islands, while Townsonia is endemic. 
A. Epiphytes with creeping rhizomes, perennial stems, and evergreen leaves. 
Poilinia waxy, free or attached by caudicles to the rostellum. 
* Pollinia free. 
The New Zealand species with slender much-branched 
stems, no pseudobulbs and axillary flowers. Lateral 
sepals and lip adnate to the base of the column .. 1, DENDROBIUM, 
