o02 ON THE ORGANS AND MODE OF FECUNDATION 



nent parts of the ovarium. On this subject very little in- 

 formation is to be obtained from the writings of botanists, 

 most of whom have contented themselves with describing 

 the stigma as a disk, a fovea ghitinosa, a secreting surface, 

 or viscid space in front of the column. The late celebrated 

 Richard, however, who adverts to the occasional existence 

 of two lateral processes of his gynizus, may be supposed to 

 have had more correct notions of its composition : and it 

 may also be observed, that in Curtis's plate of Ophrys 

 cqnfera already referred to, and still more distinctly in Mr. 

 Bauer's figure of Orchis mascida, the two lateral lobes are 

 represented as distinct, corresponding very exactly with 

 Haller's description, in 1742, of the stigma in this genus. 



The result of my examination of this point satisfied me 

 that Orchide^ have in reality three stigmata, generally more 

 or less confluent, but in some cases manifestly distinct, and 

 two of wdiich are in several instances even furnished with 

 styles of considerable length. 



These stigmata are placed opposite to the three outer 

 divisions of the perianthium, and consequently terminate 

 the axes of the supposed component parts of the ovarium, 

 always regarded by me as made up of three simple ovaria 

 700] unitecrby their ovuliferous margins ; a structure in which 

 the ordinary relation of stigmata to placentae is that here 

 found. 



In Mr. Bauer's ' Illustrations' already referred to, a very 

 different account is given of the composition of the ovarium, 

 which is there said to be formed of six pieces. 



This view of its composition seems to be founded on the 

 existence of six vascular cords, on the apparent interrup- 

 tions in the cellular tissue, and on the singular dehiscence 

 of the capsule. But the mere number of vascular cords, 

 which, being destined to supply all parts of the flow^er, may 

 be said rather to indicate the divisions of the perianthium 

 than those of the ovarium, cannot be considered as affording 

 an argument of much importance, and, if it were, would 

 equally apply to many other families having trilocular 

 ovaria, as Irideae ; while the interruptions or inequalities of 

 cellular tissue may be viewed as only the preparation for 



