ORCHIDACE^. 



Nat. syst. ed.2.p.335. 



ORCHIS. 



Flowers galeate. Sepals nearly equal ; the upper converging 

 with the petals into a sort of arch ; the lateral either converging 

 or reflexed. Petals erect, of about the same size and form as 

 the upper sepal, Labellum anterior, calcarate, entire, or undi- 

 vided, connate with the base of the column. Anther erect with 

 contiguous parallel cells. Pollen-masses granular, with 2 dis- 

 tinct glands enclosed in 1 common pouch (or pouch-like fold of 

 the stigma). Terrestrial plants with tubercular roots, and 

 soft rather flaccid even leaves. 



It is believed that some species of this genus" furnishes the nutri- 

 tious substance called Salep, or Saloop, so remarkable as the source of 

 Bassorine, and 1221. O. mascula in particular has been named as the 

 plant whose tubercles are collected ; but as that plant does not seem to 

 grow in Turkey or Persia, the countries whence Salep was originally 

 obtained, there must be some mistake in the statement. It is more 

 likely to be the produce of 1222. O. variegata, 1223. taurica, or 1224. 

 militaris. In the Himalayas the tubercles of an Orchis were seen by 

 Lieut. Hutton to be collected for use under the name of Salep misri, 

 but the species is not mentioned. 



BLETIA. 



Sepals spreading, equal. Petals spreading or converging, about 

 the same size as the sepals. Labellum cucullate, articulated 

 with the column, sometimes saccate at the base,, 3-lobed, with 

 the disk generally lamellate or tuberculated. Column long, 

 half-terete. Anther fleshy, 8- celled, terminal, opercular. Pollen- 

 masses 8, equal, waxy, adhering by 4 powdery straps. Terres- 

 trial plants, with cormi and plaited leaves. 



1225. B. verecunda RBr. in hort. kew. v. 206. Lindl. g. and 

 sp. orch. 121. Limodorum altum Linn. syst. veg. 680. Jacq. 

 ic. rar. iii. t. 602. West Indies. 



Leaves ensiform, plaited. Scape branched, erect, 2-3 feet high. 

 Flowers bright purple, showy. Sepals ovate, acute, somewhat spreading. 

 Petals oblong, obtuse, arched over the column. Lip with the middle 

 lobe broader than long and wavy, with numerous crisp, parallel, simple 

 or occasionally branched ridges of a pale yellow or whitish colour. 

 According to Browne the cormus is " bitterish and attended by a clam- 

 miness that leaves a light prickly warmth behind it ; but this wears off 

 soon, leaving the palate free from every sensation but that of the bitter. 

 When dried it may be used with great propriety as a stomachic." 

 577 P P 



