ORCHIDACE.E. 381 



irregular, consisting not only of a petal, but of two 

 abortive stamens incorporated with it. The column is 

 considered to be made up of one perfect and three 

 abortive stamens, in inseparable connection with three 

 styles. By some, however, it is supposed that all the 

 stamens are confluent with the column and none with 

 the lip. 



In either case it is admitted that there are six 

 stamens in two rows. The first row consists of one 

 posterior stamen, which is generally perfect, and two 

 abortive stamens incorporated with the labellum. The 

 second row also consists of three stamens, all of which 

 are usually abortive and inseparable from the column. 

 Traces of them may occasionally be met with in the 

 form of tubercles or wing-like processes from the 

 column. In CypTipedium^ while the ordinary sta- 

 men of the outer row is deficient, two of the inner 

 series are present. The diagram, fig. 192, will serve 



Fio. 192. Diagram showmg the aiTangement of parts in an orchid 

 flower. According to Criiger, the stamens A 2, A 3, should be distinct 

 from the Up. The uppermost figure 2 should have been 1. (See text.) 



to show the arrangement of the parts as above de- 

 scribed. -|- represents the situation of the stem or axis; 

 on the opposite side is the bract ; between these are 

 placed the sepals, one posterior or next the axis (in- 

 correctly numbered 2 in the plan), two lateral 1, 1 ; 

 next in order follow the petals, 2, 2, 2, two lateral and 

 somewhat posterior, one larger (the lip), anterior; the 

 outer series of stamens are represented by a 1, a 2, a 3, 

 the two latter being fused with the labellum ; 1, rt 2, 



