ORCHIDACE. 699 
Diagnosis.—This order is readily known by its irregular 
flowers ; by the peculiar form which the labellum in many cases 
assumes, so as to cause the flower to resemble some insect, 
reptile, bird, or other living object ; by its gynandrous stamens ; 
its frequently more or less coherent pollen ; and by its 1-celled 
inferior ovary with three parietal placentas. 
Division of the Order.—This order has been divided by Lind- 
ley and others into several tribes, the characters being derived 
from the number and position of the anthers, the number and 
nature of the pollen-masses, and other characters; but the 
description of these does not come within the scope of this 
volume. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are more or less abundantly 
distributed in nearly every region of the globe, except in those 
which have a very cold or dry climate. Some species are 
terrestrial and occur chiefly in temperate regions ; others are 
epiphytical and are confined to hot climates. Illustrative Genera : 
—Malaxis, Swartz; Dendrobium, Swartz; Oncidiuam, Swartz ; 
Stanhopea, Frost; Orchis, Linn.; Cypripedium, Linn. The 
order contains about 5,000 species, 2,000 being in cultivation. 
Properties and Uses.—These plants, which present so much 
interest from the singularity, beauty, and fragrance of their 
flowers, are of little importance in an economic or medicinal 
point of view. Some are aromatic and fragrant, and are used 
as flavouring agents, several possess nutritious roots, and a few 
are antispasmodic and aphrodisiac. 
Angrecum fragrans.—The dried leaves of this fragrant species are used 
as a kind of tea inthe Mauritius ; it is commonly knownas Faham or Bourbon 
tea. It has been introduced into London and Paris, but is not much es- 
teemed. “This tea should be prepared by boiling, and is recommended to be 
taken with milkandrum. Itis said to produce a soothing effect, but without 
causing sleeplessness. 
Cypripedium pubescens.—The root is official in the United States Phar- 
macopoeia. It is regarded as an antispasmodic, and is employed for similar 
purposes as valerian, but is less powerful. In the Chicago ‘ Pharmacist ’ for 
1874, it is stated that C. pubescens and C. spectabile possess powerful poisonous 
properties, the effects produced resembling the poisoning from Rhus Tozxi- 
codendron and R. venenata; but this seems improbable. From the rhizome 
and rootlets of C. pubescens, and probably also of C. spectabile and C. humile, 
the eclectic remedy termed cypripedin is obtained. This is regarded as a 
gentle nervine stimulant, and useful in epilepsy, chorea, and other nervous 
diseases, 
Eulophia vera and FE. campestris——The tubercules of these species are 
used in some parts of India in the preparation of the nutritious substance 
known by the names of Salep, Salop, and Saloop, which is there very highly 
esteemed. (See Orchis.) 
Orchis.—The dried tubercules of several species, as those of O. mascula, 
O. latifolia, O. Morio, and others, form European or Indigenous Salep ; that 
prepared from O. mascula is said to be the best. Salep contains bassorin and 
a little starch, and possesses similar properties to those of other amylaceous 
substances. (See Lulophia.) 
Sobralia.—The fruit of a species of Sobralia, a native of Panama, is said 
to yield a kind of Vanilla which is called Chica. 
