698 ORCHIDACEA. 
the hypechiliwm, the middle the mesochiliwm, and the upper the 
epichiium. Andreciwm united to the style (gynandrous) ( figs. 
546, 566, and 1053) and forming with it a central column (qyno- 
stemium) ; the column usually bearing 1 perfect anther and two 
lateral abortive ones, or in Cypripediwm two lateral perfect 
anthers and one abortive anther in the centre. Pollen powdery, 
or more or less collected into grains or waxy or mealy masses 
(pollinia) (fig. 564, p); the masses free, or attached by their 
stalk, c (caudicle), to a gland or glands (retinacula) at the apex 
(rostellum) of the stigma (fig. 566, a). Ovary inferior, 1-celled, 
with 3 parietal placentas (figs. 622 and 1054) bearing a number 
Fic. 1053. Fic. 1054. Fic. 1055. 
Fig. 1053. Front view of the flower of the Tway-blade (Listera ovata), 
showing the bifid labellum at the anterior part of the flower, and the 
other five divisions of the perianth ; the essential organs of reproduction 
forming a column (gynostemium ).— Fig. 1054. Diagram of the flower of 
an Orchid. ss, sl, sl. The three outer divisions of the perianth; s being 
anterior or inferior, sl, sl being lateral. pl, pi. The two lateral divisions 
of the inner whor! of the perianth. ps. Thesuperior or posterior division 
(labellum) of the inner whorl; this by the twisting of the ovary becomes 
ultimately inferior or anterior. e. The fertile stamen, with two anther 
lobes. ec. Transverse section of the ovary, with three parietal placentas. 
—Fig.1055. Fruit of an Orchid dehiscing by three valves, each valve 
bearing a placenta and numerous very minute seeds.——/ig. 1056. Seed 
of an Orchid, with a loose reticulated testa. 
of anatropous ovules; style united with the androecium and 
forming with it a column or gynostemium (figs. 546 and 1053) ; 
stigma a viscid space in front of the column (fig. 566). Fruit 
usually capsular, 3-valved (fig. 1055), the valves bear the 
placentas in their middle, and separating when the fruit is 
ripe from the central parts or midribs of the component carpels, 
which are left as an open framework ; or rarely fleshy and in- 
dehiscent. Seeds very minute and numerous, with a loose netted 
(fig. 1056) or rarely hard crustaceous testa, exalbuminous; embryo 
a fleshy solid mass. 
