666 SYSTEMATIC EOT AX Y. 



more or less united below or distinct, one, s, being anterior, or 

 when the ovary is twisted posterior {figs. 534 and 1029), and two, 

 si, si, lateral ; the inyier whorl {fig. 1030, pi, pi, ps) usually of three 

 pieces ( ;^eta/.«f), or rarely of but one, alternating with the pieces in 

 the outer whorl; one (the labellum or lip) {fig. 1030, ps) posterior, 

 or by the twisting of the ovary anterior, (fig. 1029), usually longer 

 and larger than the other pieces, and altogether different to 

 them in form {fig. 1029), often spui'red {fig. 534); sometimes the 

 labellum exhibits a division into 3 regions, of which the lowest is 

 termed the hypochilium, the middle the mesochilium, and the upper 

 the epichilium. Stamens and style united together (gynandrous) 

 (figs. 534, 552 and 1029) in a central column or gynontemium. 

 The column usually bearing 1 perfect anther and two lateral 

 abortive anthers, or rarely two lateral perfect anthers and one 

 abortive anther in the centre. Pollen powdery, or more or less 

 collected into grains, or in waxy or mealy masses (puUinia) 

 {fig. 550, jo); the masses free or attached by their stalk, c 

 (caudicle), to the apex {rostellum) of the stigma {fig. 552). 

 Ovary inferior, 1 -celled, with 3 parietal placentas {figs. 607 and 

 1030), bearing a number of anatropous ovules ; style united 

 with the filaments and together forming the gynostemium {figs. 

 534 and 1029) ; stigma a viscid space in front of the column 

 {fig. 552). Fruit usually capsular, 3-valved (fig. 1031); the 

 valves bear the placentas in their middle, and separate from the 

 central parts or midribs of the component carpels, which are left 

 as an open frame -work; the fruit is rarely fleshy, and indehis- 

 cent. Seeds very minute and numerous {fig. 1031), Avith a loose 

 netted {fig. 1032), or rarely hard crustaceous testa, exalbuminous ; 

 embryo a fleshy solid mass. 



Diagnosis. — This order is known by its irregular flowers ; by 

 the peculiar form which the labellum assumes in many cases, 

 so as to cause the flower to resemble some insect, reptile, bird, 

 or other living object ; by its gynandrous stamens ; by its 

 cohering pollen ; and by its 1-celled inferior ovary with 3 

 parietal placentas. 



Distribution, 8fc. — They are more or less abundantly dis- 

 tributed 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 arc 

 epipliytal and are confined to hot climates. Examples : — 

 Plcurothallis, Malaxis, Dendrobium, Corallorrhiza, Epiden- 

 drum, Cattlcya, Phaius, Vanda, Acirides, Oncidium Stanhopea, 

 Calanthe, Orchis, Satyrium, Habenaria Vanilla, Listcra, Spi- 

 ranthcs, Goodyera, Cypripcdium. According to Lindley, our 

 standard autliority on this rcnuvrkable order of plants, there arc 

 about 400 <,'enera, and 3000 sjiccics. 



Properties and Uses. — Tiic i)lants of this order, Avhich present 

 so much iutercst to the horticulturist from the siugulai'ity, beauty. 



