VIII. BUEMANNIACEiE. 



777 



(O. mascula, Morio, militaris, maciihta, &c.). Salep contains in a small volume an abundance of 

 nutritive starch, associated with a peculiar gum, analogous to Bassorine ; it was formerly considered a 

 powerful analeptic ; it is now used as a sweet, scented jelly, or mixed with chocolate. The root of Helle- 

 borine (Epipactis lalifolid) is employed for arthritic pains ; those of Himantoglosmm hireinum, Spiranthes 

 autumnalis, and Platanthera hifolia, are reputed to be aphrodisiac. The flowers of Gymnadenia eonopsea 

 are administered for dysentery; and in North America the tubers of Arethiisa bulbosa are used to 

 stimulate indolent tumours and in toothache. The root of Spiranthes diuretiea is renowned in Chili. 

 The rhizome of Cypripedium pubescens replaces the Valerian as an antispasmodic iu the estimation of the 

 Anglo-Americans. 



VII. 4P0STASIACEJE} 



[Perennial herbs. Eoots fibrous. Stem rigid, simple or slightly branched, 

 slender. Leaves cauline, sheathing, rather rigid, alternate, lanceolate, strongly 

 nerved, nerves parallel. Flowees 2 , in simple or 

 compound terminal nodding racemes, fragrant ; 

 pedicels bracteate at the base, sometiuies bract- 

 eolate. Peeianth superior, of 6 sub-equal seg- 

 ments in t\vp series, rather oblique, deciduous ; 

 segments linear-oblong ; of the 3 outer 1 is anticous 

 and 2 lateral ; inner narrow, posticous, and more or 

 less labelliform. Stamens 3, 2 fertile opposite 

 the lq,teral inner segments of the perianth ; third, 

 if present, rarely fertile, opposite the anticous segment ; filaments short, adnate to 

 the base of the style ; anthers basifixed, erect, 2-celled, introrse ; pollen of free 

 grains. Ovaet inferior, elongate, 3-celled ; style slender, terete ; stigma obscurely 

 3-lobed ; ovules numerous, attached to the inner angles of the cells. Capsule mem- 

 branous, 3-celled, loculicidally 3-valved ; valves cohering at the base and top. Seeds 

 numerous, very minute, ovoid or scobiform ; testa menibranous, lax at both ends. 



GENEEA. 

 Apostagia. Neuwiedia. 



A very small order, closely allied to Orchidece, distinguished by the style and the 3-celled ovary, 

 which, however, occur in the Selmipedium section of Cypripedieee. The species, which are very few, 

 are natives of Trans-Gangetic India and the Malay peninsula find islands. They have no known 

 properties.-^Ep.] 



Aposfasia. 

 Diagfrara. 



VIII. burmanniaceje: 



(BuEMANNi^, Sprmgel. — Buemawniaobje, Bl. — Teipteeelle^, Nuttall, — Thismie^ 



ET Teiueide^s), Miers.) 



Flowers ^ . Peeianth superior, 6-partite, 'Z-.s&riate, Stamens 3-6. Ovaet 

 inferior, 1-S-celled; stigmas 3. Seeds with cellular testa, ewalbuminous. Bmbeto 

 uncUvided. — Weah heebs with linear leaves, or aphyllous. 



' This Order is omitted in the original. 



