ESSENCES 149 
Fic. 148, I.—Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia, Orchid Family, Orchidacee.) 
Flowering branch, reduced in size, showing leaves and air-roots. A, lip 
of the flower, and along its back the ‘‘column’’ formed of style and 
stamens grown together. B, C, column, side view and front view, show- 
ing anthers (a) and rudimentary stamen (s). D, top of column, cut 
lengthwise through anthers. E, seed, much enlarged. (Berg and 
Schmidt.) A tall, climbing herb attaching itself to trees by means of 
air-roots; leaves thick; flowers yellow; fruit a pod ripening in two years, 
16-30 em. long, 7-10 mm. thick. Native home, Mexico. 
