ORCH1DACE.E. 149 



3. VAtmSNE'RIA, Micheli. TAPE-GRASS. EEL -GRASS. 

 V. spiralis, L. Leaves 1-2 feet long. Common in slow 

 waters. 



ORDER XCVI. ORCHID A'CE^J. (ORCHIS FAMILY.) 



Herbs, well marked by the peculiar arrangement of the sta- 

 mens, these being gynandrous, that is, borne 011 or adherent to the 

 stigma or stylo. There is also usually but a single stamen, of 

 two rather widely separated anthers, but in the last genus of the 

 following list there are 2 distinct stamens, with the rudiment of 

 a third at the back of the stigma. As explained in Part I., 

 sections 90-93, the Orchids as a rule require the aid of insects to 

 convey the pollinia, or pollen-masses, to the stigma, but occasion- 

 ally it happens that when the anther-cells burst open the pollinia 

 fall forward and dangle in front of the viscid stigma beneath, 

 being sooner or later driven against it either by the wind or by 

 the head of some insect in pursuit 'of honey. In all cases where 

 the student meets with an Orchid in flower, he should, by experi- 

 ment, endeavour to make himself acquainted with the method of 

 its fertilization. 



The Orchis Family is a very large one, there being probably as 

 many as 3,000 different species, but the greater number are 

 natives of tropical regions. Many of them are epiphytes, or air- 

 plants, deriving their support chiefly from the moisture of the air, 

 through their long aerial roots which never reach the ground. 

 The perianth in many species, and particularly the labellum, or 

 lip, assumes the most fantastic shapes, making the plants great 

 favourites for hot-house cultivation. In Canada, the represent- 

 atives of this great Order, though not very numerous, are among 

 the most interesting and beautiful of our wild flowers. They are, 

 as a rule, bog-plants, and will be found in flower in early summer. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



* Anther only one, but of 2 cells, these separated in the first genus. 

 -- Lip with a spur underneath. Anther on the face of the sti'jma. 

 1. Orchis. The 3 sepals and 2 of the petals erect and arching over the centre 

 of the flower ; the lip turned down. The 2 glands or viscid disks at the 

 base of the pollen-masses enclosed in a little pouch just over the concave 

 stigma; Leaves 2, large. Flowers few, in a spike. 



