258 ORDER PENTANDRIA. 



from 1 to 4 celled, sessile, or sitting upon the side or apex of 

 the style ; the pollen is easily removed from the cells in glutin- 

 ous masses ; the styles are simple, with viscous stigmas of va- 

 rious forms and positions. The capsules are 1 celled, 3 valved, 

 3 keeled ; seeds are numerous and dust-like, clasping the stem 

 like the leaves of grasses. The stems or scapes are simple, 

 undivided, and the flowers are arranged in spikes or racemes. 



The family Orchidese is in the 4th class of Jussieu's method, 

 having monocotyledonous seeds, and stamens epigynous, or above 

 the germ. The flowers of this family are remarkable for their 

 irregular, picturesque, and we might add, grotesque appear- 

 ance ; some present the figure of a fly, others of a spider, a 

 bird, and even of the human figure. It would seem too, that 

 the freaks of these vegetable beings are not designed for our 

 observation, for they are as curious in their choice of habita- 

 tions as in their external forms ; preferring wildness, barren- 

 ness and desolation to the fostering care of man, or the most 

 luxuriant soil. It is in forests of the equatorial regions, that 

 these plants appear in the greatest perfection. The aromatic 

 vanilla is obtained from the fruit of a climbing orchis of those 

 regions. 



The Orchis genus has a nectary in the shape of a horn ; its 

 corolla is somewhat ringent, the upper petal vaulted, the lip is 

 spreading, the 2 masses of pollen are concealed at the sides, by 

 little sacs, or hooded hollows of the stigma. 



Fig. 122 represents a flower of this genus ; a, shews the two 

 masses of pollen, brought out from the cells of the anther which 

 is attached to the pistil. 



Diandria. 



The 2d order contains the ladies' slipper (CYPRIPEDIUM) ; 

 the nectary or lip is large, inflated, and resembles a slipper. 

 We have several species of this curious plant, some of which 

 are yellow, some white, and others purple. 

 Pentandria. 



The 5th order contains the milk-weed (ASCLEPIAS), which 

 by some has been placed in the fifth class, on the supposition 

 that the stamens did not proceed from the pistil. In order to 

 assist you to understand these flowers, we will present you with 

 a very plain and simple description, from a manuscript belong- 

 ing to an American botanist,* who has devoted many years in 

 attention to scientific pursuits, and has particularly examined 

 into the character of the plants we are now considering. He 

 says, " I select the milk- weed for exercising you in the Gram- 



* Professor Eaton. 



Orchis Ladies' slipper Order Pentandria. 



