176 



DE CANDOLLE'S SYSTEM. 



latecl with the stem. Sepals 3. Petals 3, of which 2 are 

 uppermost, and 1, the lip, undermost. Stamens 3, united in 

 a column, the 2 lateral abortive, the central perfect, or the 

 central abortive, and the 2 lateral perfect ; pollen powdery, 

 or cohering in masses. Ovary 1-celled, with 3 parietal pla- 

 centae ; style a part of the column of the stamens ; stigma 

 a viscid space in front of the column. Seeds very numerous, 

 minute. 



USES. The roots of Orchis mascula and others contain a 

 large quantity of hard mucilage, and form a nutritious sub- 

 stance called Salep. The fragrant Vanilla is the succulent 

 fruit of Vanilla planifolia. The corm of Bletia verecunda is 

 bitter; the expressed juice of Epidendrum bifidum is said to 

 be purgative. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Orchis, Epidendrum, Spiranthes, Onci- 

 dium. 



A A fl Wer Seen in P rofile ' 2 " The 

 skin A P Uen m 



en from 

 " A SCpd 



