ORCHIS. 233 



Herbs pungent and acrid, with rhizomes or corms. 

 Leaves often net-veined, generally parallel- veined. 

 Flowers small, crowded on a spadix. 

 Ovary free, with a sessile stigma. 

 Embryo with one cotyledon. 



The Aroids are chiefly tropical, numbering 46 genera and 240 spe- 

 cies. They are generally acrid, and some are dangerously poisonous. 



The Dumb Cane (Diffeiibdchia) of the W. Indies is so called because, 

 if tasted, it causes the tongue to swell and fill the mouth. 



Sweet Flag (Acorus) grows in cold streams of the Northern States. 

 Its long, thick rhizomes are sought for their warm, pungent, aromatic 

 taste. 



Calddium and Colocdsia are cultivated for their large, ornamental 

 leaves ; also for their tuberous, edible roots. 



Scientific Terms. Dioecious. Monoecious. Spadix. Spathe. 



LXI. THE SHOWY ORCHIS. 



Description. With eager longing and patient search 

 the botanist expects the Rose-tinted Orchis in the late days 

 of May, when Spring is fading into Summer. It belongs, 

 with Lady's Slipper, to a high-toned, fastidious race, very 

 choice of its soil in old rich woods, here and there, and soon 

 retreating when its haunt is discovered. It will be promptly 

 recognized by its two obovate, shining leaves, 4-angled scape, 

 and several rose-colored flowers. 



Analysis. The root, bract, leaves, and scape, we leave 

 to the discrimination of the student. Let him note every 

 point of form or structure whereby the species may be dis- 

 tinguished from others. 



The Flower is constructed after a pattern quite new and 

 extraordinary. In general aspect it seems bilabiate. Beneath 

 is seen the inferior (adherent), twisted ovary. A careful 

 analysis will show the perianth composed of 3 sepals in an 

 outer whorl and 3 petals in an inner one. The lower petal 



