MEIOPHYLLY. 40] 
four stamens were united by their filaments so as to 
form two pairs. 
M. Fournier mentions something of the same kind 
in the flower of an J7is.’ 
Orchids seem peculiarly lable to the decrease in the 
number of their floral organs. Prillieux? mentions a 
flower of Cattleya amethystina wherein each whorl of 
the perianth consisted of two opposite segments. 
The same observer has put on record instances of a 
similar kind in Mpidendrum Stamfordianum. In one 
flower of the last-named species the perianth consisted 
of one sepal only, and one lip-like petal placed opposite 
to it... Morren* describes a flower of Cypripediwmn in- 
signe, in which there were two sepals and two petals. 
Of a similar character was the flower found by Mr. 
J. A. Paine, and described in the following terms by 
Professor Asa Gray in the ‘American Journal of 
Science,’ July, 1866:—“‘The plant” (Cypripediwn 
candidum) “bears two flowers: the axillary one is 
normal; the terminal one exhibits the following pecu- 
harities. The lower part of the bract forms a sheath 
which encloses the ovary. The labellum is wanting ; 
and there are two sterile stamens, the supernumerary 
one being opposite the other, 7.e. on the side of the 
style where the labellum belongs. Accordingly the 
first impression would be that the labellum is here 
transformed into a sterile stamen. The latter, however, 
agrees with the normal sterile stamen in its insertion 
as well as in shape, being equally adnate to the base of 
the style. Moreover, the anteposed sepal is exactly 
like the other, has a good midrib and an entire point. 
As the two sterile stamens are anteposed to the two 
sepals, so are the two fertile stamens to the two petals, 
and the latter are adnate to the style a little higher than 
the former. The style is longer than usual, is straight 
and erect; the broad, disciform stigma therefore 
' «Bull. Soe. Bot. Fr.,’ vol. viii, 1861, p. 152. 2 Thid.; ix, p. 275. 
* Thid,, 1861, vol. viii, p. 149. * * Lobelia,’ p. 58 
26 
