AND THEIR SYSTEMATICAL ARRANGEMENT. 99 



plants is performed, and of the very differently 

 constructed parts that are instrumental to it. 



One part belonging to the flowers of Orchidese 

 is a leaf, larger or less, situated beneath the germ, 

 of each flower, and generally of a thinner texture 

 than the other leaves' of the plant. This Linnaeus 

 called spatha, and to the whole he gave the name 

 of spadix. Compared with those of other plants, 

 these leaves are in fact nothing else than bracteae, 

 as Linnceus himself calls them in his description of 

 several Orchides. 



However irregular and various in the shape of 

 their flowers, all the Orchideas agree in their habit.* 

 The flower consists of a calyx, generally called 

 corolla, situated above the germ, and consisting of 

 several leaflets, two, three or five of which are 

 apparently placed outside ; but two of them are 

 constantly found placed within the outer, with 

 which they alternate. In some few the outer 

 leaflets cohere at the base, the inner being entirely 

 free (Stelis, Lepanthes) ; in others, both the inner 

 and outer cohere at their bases (Satyrium Thunb.); 



•Hence a new botanical term, Jim or;HJ».. 

 G 2 



