604 oeohidacejE. 



(gynostemium, ywit, pistil, and erri/iuv, stamen) ; stigmas a viscid 

 hollow space in front of the column (fig. 847 s), commuiiicating directly 

 ■with the ovary by an open canal. The upper part of the united stigmas 

 is often extended into a heak-like process (rostellum). Placentas 3, 

 parietal (iigs. 553, p. 306 ; 850). Fruit a capsule, opening by 3 or 6 

 valves, rarely fleshy, and indehiscent. Seeds GO, very minute, vidth a 

 loose reticulated spermoderm (fig. 851), exalbuminous ; embryo solid, 

 fleshy (fig. 852) ; large radicle next the hilum. (See a full description 

 of the morphology of the flower of an Orchis at p. 373.)' — Perennial 

 herbs or shrubs, with fibrous or tubercular roots (fig. 101, p. 41), 

 either no stem or a pseudo-bulb, entire, parallel-veined often sheathing 

 leaves, and generally showy, attractive flowers. Sometimes buds are 

 produced on the margins of the leaves (fig. 231, p. 118). They are 

 natives of almost all parts of the world, but they abound in moist 

 tropical regions. They are not found in the Arctic regions, nor in 

 very dry climates. Some are terrestrial, and others are epiphytic. 

 The former are commonly seen in temperate climates, the latter in 

 warm regions. Lisa grandiflora is found on Table Mountain at an 

 elevation of 3582 feet. The only known locality for it is in a marshy 

 hoUow, near the eastern extremity of the summit, where it is abun- 

 dant, among rushes; on the margins of small pools and streamlets, in a 

 black boggy soil. Two rare species of Disa are also found there, 

 D. ferruginea and tenuifolia. ■ Oncidium nuhigenum grows on the 

 Andes, near Quito, at an elevation of 14,000 feet above the level of 

 the sea. Epidendrum fri-gidum occurs in Columbia at an elevation 

 of 12,000 to 13,0.00 feet (mean temperature 46°), and is covered with 

 a sort of varnish. Authors enumerate 400 genera, including above 

 3000 species; of these, 17 genera and 38 species are British. Ex- 

 amples — Stelis, Liparis, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Stanhopea, Vanda, 

 Orchis, Ophrys, Listera, Arethusa, Neottia, and Cy]mpedium. 



The plants of this order are well distinguished by the peculiar 

 forms of their flowers, their remarkable lip, gynandrous stamens, and 

 poUen-masses. Their flowers often resemble insects, as butterflies, 

 moths, bees, flies, and spiders ; or birds, as doves and eagles ; or 

 reptiles, as snakes, lizards, and frogs. The colours and spots on the 

 perianth sometimes give the appearance of the skins of quadrupeds, as 

 the leopard and tiger. These resemblances are often indicated in the 

 generic and specific names. The labeUum, in some instances, displays 

 peculiar irritability (p. 387). 



MucUaginous properties occur in many of the plants of [this order. 

 Some are aromatic and fragrant ; others are antispasmodic and tonic. 

 The tuberous roots of some yield a nutritious substance called Salep, 

 which consists chiefly of bassorin, some soluble gum, and a little 

 starch. The foUowing orchids yield Salep : — Orchis mascula, 0. pa/pili- 

 onacea, 0. Morio, 0. militarise 0. cmiophora, and 0. longicruris, as well 



