MKIOPHYLLY. 401 



four stamens were united by tlieir filaments so as to 

 form two pairs. 



M. Fournier mentions something of the same kind 

 in the flower of an Trls} 



Orchids seem pecuharly hable to the decrease in the 

 number of their floral organs. Pi*illieux" mentions a 

 flower of Caitleya amethystina wherein each whorl of 

 the perianth consisted of two opposite segments. 



The same observer has put on record instances of a 

 similar kind in Eindendrum Stamfordiamim. In one 

 flower of the last-named species the perianth consisted 

 of one sepal only, and one lip-like petal placed opposite 

 to it.^ Morren^ describes a flower of Cypripedium in- 

 signe, in which there were two sepals and two petals. 

 Of a similar character was the flower found by Mr. 

 J. A. Paine, and described in the following terms by. 

 Professor Asa Gray in the * American Journal of 

 Science/ July, 1866 : " The plant" {Cypripedium 

 candidum) " bears two flowers : the axillary one is 

 normal ; the terminal one exhibits the folloAving pecu- 

 liarities. The lower part of the bract forms a sheath 

 which encloses the ovary. The labellum is wanting ; 

 and there are two sterile stamens, the supernumerary 

 one being opposite the other, i. e. on the side of the 

 style where the labellum belongs. Accordingly the 

 first impression would be that the labellum is here 

 transformed into a sterile stamen. The latter, however, 

 agrees with the normal sterile stamen in its insertion 

 as well as in shape, being equally adnate to the base of 

 the style. Moreover, the anteposed sepal is exactly 

 like the other, has a good midrib and an entire point. 

 As the two sterile stamens are anteposed to the two 

 sepals, so are the two fertile stamens to the two petals, 

 and the latter are adnate to the style a httle higher than 

 the former. The style is longer than usual, is straight 

 and erect; the broad, disciform stigma therefore 



' ' Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr.,' vol. viii, 1861, p. 152. Ibid., ix. p. 276. 



' Ibid.. 1861, vol. viii, p. 149. ' Lobelia,' p. 55 



26 



