AND THEIR SYSTEMATICAL ARRANGEMENT. TOI 



calyx, and a corolla of three petals. But these 

 characters, far from being universal, can perhaps 

 only be applied to some few plants of this natural 

 order. We generally find those leaflets which 

 principally constitute the flower, to be cuticula 

 germinis coniinua s. adnata, by which the calyx may 

 in most cases be distinguished from the corolla. 

 The two inner lateral leaflets have, indeed, often a 

 more immediate connexion with the parts of fruc- 

 tificati©n ; but, being partly or entirely united by 

 means of the outer surface of their bases with 

 those of the outer leaflets, they cannot be con- 

 sidered as true petals, except in some few where 

 they communicate ("as well as the lip) with the 

 style, nay are even placed upon the body of it. 

 (Disa melaleuca.) 



Owing to the above-mentioned variations, the 

 character given by the great French botanist to the 

 Orchideae, Calyx sexpartitus, laciniis quinque superi- 

 or ibus, sexta inferior e majore & dissimili, is not to be 

 admitted, as both the number and situation of the 

 leaflets are subject to change ; and what he calls 

 the sixth I consider as the corolla of these singular 



