ORCHIDACE’. 381 
irregular, consisting not only of a petal, but of two 
abortive stamens incor porated with it. The column is 
considered to be made up of one perfect and three 
abortive stamens, in inseparable connection with three 
styles. By some, however, it is supposed that all the 
stamens are confluent with the column and none with 
the lip. 
In either case it is admitted that there are six 
stamens in two rows. The first row consists of one 
posterior stamen, which is generally perfect, and two 
abortive stamens incorporated with the labellum. 'The 
second row also consists of three stamens, all of which 
are usually abortive and inseparable from the column. 
Traces of them may occasionally be met with in the 
form of tubercles or wing-like processes from the 
column. In Cypripedium, while the ordinary sta- 
men of the outer row is deficient, two of the mner 
series are present. The diagram, fig. 192, will serve 

Fie. 192.—Diagram showing the arrangement of parts in an orchid 
flower. According to Criiger, the stamens A 2 , A.3, should be distinct 
from the lip. The uppermost figure 2 2 should have been 1. (See text.) 
to show the arrangement of the parts as above de- 
scribed. + represents the situation of the stem or axis; 
on the opposite side is the bract; between these are 
placed the sepals, one posterior or next the axis (in- 
correctly numbered 2 in the plan), two lateral 1, 1; 
next in order follow the petals, 2, 2, 2, two lateral and 
somewhat posterior, one larger (the lip), anterior; the 
outer series of stamens are represented by a 1, A 2, A 3, 
the two latter being fused with the labellum; a1, a 2, 
