i6 



ORCHIDS 



Structure and other Peculiarities. 



strictly speaking, sepals, and the three inner, petals. In 

 Orchidcce there is usually a marked irregularity in the 

 shape of the flower, the nature of which will be made 

 clear by the accompanying Illustration (Fig. 4). We have, 

 outside, a row of three sepals {/) ; then come three petals 

 ip), two of which usual!)' more or less resemble the sepals 



Fig. 4. Flower of Arachnanthe Cathcartii 



(nat. size). 



in shape and colouring ; while the third petal (as we may 

 consider it for practical purposes), which usually differs 

 considerably in size, colour, and form, and is the lowest 

 m the flower, is known as the labellum, or lip (/). This 

 labelliait is sometimes prolonged backwards at the base 

 mto a tail, or spur, which usually contains honey • in the 

 wonderful Angra;cuin sesquipedale of Madagascar this spur 



