PETALOIDE^. 



665 



nous stamens, parietal placentation, long style, and serai-anatro-t 

 pous ovules. 



Distribution, 8fc. — Natives of Chili. There are 2 genera, — • 

 Philesia and Lapageria, and 2 species. In tlieir properties they 

 are said to resemble Sarsaparilla. 



Sub-class II. PetaloidecB or Floridce. 



1. Epigynse. 



Natural Order 247, ORCHiDACEiE. — The Orchis Order {figs. 

 1029 — 1032). — General Character. — Herbs or shrubs, terres- 



Ftg. 1029. Front view of the flower of the Tway-blade (Listera ovuta), show- 

 ing the bifid labellum with tlie other five divisions of tlie perianth; and the 



essential organs of reproduction lorming a column Fi(/- lOMO. Diagram 



of the flower of an Orchid, s, si, nl. The three outer divisions of the 

 perianth ; s being anterior or inferior, si, si being lateral, pi, jd. The 

 two lateral divisions of the inner whorl of the perianth, ps. The supe- 

 rior division (LahtUmii) of the inner whorl ; this by the twisting of the 

 ovary becomes ultimately anterior, c. The fertile stamen, with two anther 



lobes, c. Transverse section of the ovary, with three parietal placentas 



Fig. 10.31. Fruit of an Orchid, dehiscing by three valves, each bearing a 



placenta and numerous seeds Fig. 1032. Seed of an Orchid, with a loose 



reticulated testa. 



trial {figs. 242 and 243) or epiphytical {fig. 237). Roots fibrous 

 {fig. 237) or tuberculated {figs. 242 and 243) ; no true stem, or 

 a pseudo-bulb {fig. 237). Leaves entire {fig. 296), generally 

 sheathing. Flowers irregular {figs. 534 and 1029), solitary or 

 numerous, with a single bract, hermaphrodite. Perianth 

 superior {figs. 534 and 1029), usually petaloid, and composed 

 of six pieces {fig. 1030), which are commonly arranged in two 

 Avhorls ; the outer whorls s, si, si, formed of three pieces {sepals). 



