196 GYNANDRIA. 



DIVISION IV. Anther terminal, moveable, and deciduous 



Pollen waxy. 



GENUS Cymbidium. Name from the Greek, signifying a 

 little boat, in allusion to the form of the labellum, or front 

 segment of the flower. The tuberous Cymbidium is found 

 in our meadows, and rises to the height of a foot or more. 

 Root bulbous ; stem erect, sheathed at the base, and having 

 a single grass-like leaf. Flowers purple, with five spreading 

 petals ; inflorescence, a spike. Style concave, and support- 

 ing a terminal anther. This is a singular, and fine looking 

 plant. 



ORDER II. DIANDRIA. Stamens 2. 



GENUS Cypripedium. Ladies' Slipper. Name, from ku- 

 prtSj Venus, and podion, a slipper, in allusion to the slipper- 

 like form of the labellurn, or principal segment of the flower, 

 which is commonly called the nectary. 



The common species, (Cypripedium calceolus,) is a well 

 known garden flower. There are also several wild species 

 growing in our woods, and of these the Cypripedium humile 

 is among the most beautiful. This singular species grows 

 in the distant woods, seldom being found near the habitations 

 of man. Dr. Bigelow describes it thus : " The present 

 species differs from the rest in having no stem leaves. The 

 leaves are two, springing from the root, large, oval lanceolate, 

 plaited, downy. Flower commonly single, terminal, nod- 

 ding. Petals four, spreading, the two lateral ones narrower, 

 and somewhat twisted. Nectary a large purple, inflated 

 bag, veined, villous, and longer than the petals. Style, 

 over the base of the nectary, supporting two lateral an- 

 thers on the inside, and ending in a broad, roundish, deflected, 

 acute lobe, carinated on the inside." Flowers in May and 

 June. 



ORDER III. HEXANDRIA. Stamens 6. 



GENUS Aristolochia. Birthwort. This genus contains a 

 number of medicinal species, among which is Snake root, 

 (Aristolochia serpentaria.} This root is said to be the sub- 

 stance which the Egyptian snake jugglers chew for the 

 purpose of stupifying their reptiles, by spitting in their 

 mouths. The species is a native of this country, and is 

 much employed as a tonic in medicine, both at home and 



What i* f.V definition of the 4-th division of this cirder? 



