THE CASE-SEED CLASS 391 
though sometimes spathaceous; flowers mostly regular; the ovary 
compound, superior or inferior; and seeds of moderate number 
and mostly medium size. 
See formula of Liliales on pages 424, 425. 
153. The orchid family (Orchidacez). Examples: vanilla 
(Fig. 1481, page 149) and lady’s-slippers (Figs. 212, 213, 
page 220). 
See formulas of Cypripedium, Vanilla, and Orchidacee on pages 
424, 425. 
Although in the flowers of this family we can recognize 
the fundamental type of structure exhibited by the lily-like 
families, it is here modified by many curious and elaborate 
complications. An orchid might be described as a lily with 
irregular perianth, one or two stamens inserted upon the 
style, the other four or five being suppressed or represented 
by staminodes, and with an inferior ovary so twisted as to 
bring the flower upside down. A flower thus turned is said 
to be resupinate.. However obscure the morphology of 
special parts may sometimes appear, orchids may usually 
be recognized as perennial herbs, with irregular, resupinate, 
epigynous flowers, having a petaloid perianth, one or two stamens 
adhering to the style, and a capsular fruit with exalbuminous 
seeds. 
154. The orchid order (Orchidales or Microspermze) con- 
tains but one other family. This agrees with the orchids in 
comprising herbs similar to the epigynous families of the lily 
order but forming innumerable seeds of exceedingly small size. 
See the formula of Orchidales on pages 424, 425. 
155. The monocotyl subclass (Monocotyledones) is made 
up of seed-plants having a monocotyledonous embryo, en- 
dogenous stem, and mostly parallel-veined leaves. Together 
with the dicotyl subclass they constitute 
156. The case-seed class (Angiospermz) which includes 
all the flowering plants forming their seeds in a case or ovary 
1 Re-su’pi-nate < L. re, back; swpinare, bend. The twist is indi- 
cated in a formula by @ placed after T. 
