Proceedings. 179 



tinguendae,' and the number is being augmented yearly. 

 The order, therefore, at present stands third for size in the 

 vegetable kingdom, so far as thePhanerogamia are concerned, 

 being only surpassed by Composites, with over 10,000, and 

 Leguminosce, 7,500 species. The GraminacecE were long 

 considered third in size, but have had to yield to OrcJiidecz. 



"In the 'Genera Plantarum ' just cited, 334 genera of 

 Orchids are admitted, which allows an average of about 

 fifteen species to a genus, and the order is subdivided into 

 five tribes. With only four of these tribes is the Cape Flora 

 acquainted. According to Mr. Harry Bolus' last catalogue 

 (1889), twenty-nine genera alone are present in South 

 Africa, divided as follows : — 

 (i.) Epidendrece. 



" Three Cape genera, seven species Epiphytal, all but one 

 in sub-tropical eastern districts, 

 (ii.) Vandecz. 



" Six Cape Genera. Sixty-nine species, mostly sub- 

 tropical and in the eastern districts, 

 (iii.) Neottiece. 



" Two Cape genera. Two species terrestrial. 

 (iv.) OpJirydece. 



" Eighteen Cape genera. Two hundred and fifty-two 

 species, all terrestrial, and distributed over the whole area. 

 " It is with this latter tribe we have to deal at present.* 

 " The Ophrydece are distinguished as a tribe by the single 

 anther being entirely aduite to the column, and having the 

 pollen-masses, which are composed of viscid granules, 

 stipitite. The four divisions of the Ophrydece are : — 

 (a) Serapiece. 



" Four genera, all European. Orchis, Aceras, Ophrys, 

 and Serapias, the first three being common in this country. 

 {b) Habenariece. 



*The remaining tribe Cypripediece is not found in South Africa. In this 

 section the plant has two anthers. 



