i6 



In this the lip is the same size as the petals and sepals, and 

 could scarcely be thought to be the same organ as the lip in the 

 Ladies' Slipper (Cypripedium). Through these regular-flowered 

 Orchids Lindley traced the relationship to the Iris family, 

 especially to Sisyrinchium ; and we obtain a chain of forms, 

 varying in the modification their flowers have undergone, from 

 these to the strangest and most mechanical flowers imaginable. 



FIG. 4. PAXTONIA ROSEA. 



The colours also differ considerably ; yellows are very abundant ; 

 orange and scarlet are well represented ; crimsons and purples 

 numerous ; white flowered Orchids are not very common, and 

 blue is particularly scarce in the family, only a few examples, 

 as Vandas ccerulea and ccerulescens and Herschelia ccelestis 

 occurring, to which perhaps Oncidium Phalaenopsis may be 

 added. There is, however, a large number of dingy, dull in- 

 describable hues, and that very rare colour in flowers, green, is 

 found in many orchids, some of our British species affording 

 good examples of this. Almost every graduation is represented 

 from the most brilliant to the dullest and most displeasing tints, 

 and their effect is often still farther increased by curious 

 contrasts in the same flowers, the colouring being disposed in 

 blocks, bars, or spots, of diverse sizes. 



A similar variability is observable in the odours of the flowers, 

 from some of the sweetest perfumes and most exquisite frag- 

 rances to fetid and disgusting odours similar to the carrion 

 flowers (Stapelias). Some are spice-like in their fragrance, and 

 nearly every Orchid flower seems to possess a scent resembling 

 something else. Thus we have a primrose-like perfume in the 

 graceful Laelia albida ; the charming odour of the musk it 



