84 BOTANY. 
well-known yellow die. Cardamom seeds come from various species of 
Amomum and Elettaria. . 
Zingiber officinale (pl. 58, 59, fig. T); a, the entire plant; 6, c, pieces 
of the rhizoma. 1-6, various parts of the flower; 7-11, do. of the fruit. 
Curcuma zedoaria (pl. 58, fig. 6),) 1-5, rhizoma; a-e, various parts of the 
plant. 
ORDER 35. ORCHIDACE#, the Orchis Family. Flowers bisexual. Perianth 
adherent, herbaceous, or colored, with a six-partite limb, the segments being 
arranged in two rows; exterior row, called the calyx (although Lindley 
says it 1s more properly the corolla, the true calyx or calyculus bemg 
usually abortive), consisting of three segments (rarély two by adhesion), the 
odd one of which is often next the axis by a twisting of the ovary; interior 
row called the corolla (regarded by Lindley as petaloid stamens), consisting 
usually of three segments (very rarely one), the odd one of which is called 
the labellum or lip. This labellum frequently differs from the other divisions 
of the perianth, assuming remarkable forms, being lobed, spurred at the base, 
or furnished with peculiar appendages, which are sometimes derived from 
the stigma. It is sometimes divided by contraction, so as to exhibit three 
distinct portions, the lowest being the hypochilium ; the middle, mesochilium ; 
and the upper, the epichilium. Stamens three, epigynous, united in a central 
column along with the style; the two lateral stamens are usually abortive, 
the central one opposite the odd exterior segment being fertile; but at 
times the two lateral are fertile, and the central one is abortive; anthers 
one-, two-, four-celled; pollen powdery or cohering in definite or indefinite 
waxy masses (pollinia), which often adhere by a caudicle to a gland 
connected with the beak (rostellum) of the stigma. This gland is sometimes 
naked, at other times in a sac or pouch (bursicula). Ovary adherent, one- 
celled, composed of six carpels, of which three only are placentiferous 
(Lindley); style incorporated with the column (gynostemium, pistil, and 
stamen); stigmas a viscid hollow space in front of the column, communi- 
cating directly with the ovary by an open canal. The upper part of the 
united stigmas is often extended into a beak-like process (rostellum). 
Placentas three, parietal. Fruit a capsule, opening by three or six valves, 
rarely fleshy, and indehiscent. Seeds 00, very minute, with a loose 
reticulated spermoderm, exalbuminous; embryo solid, fleshy; large radicle 
- next the hilum. Perennial herbs or shrubs, with fibrous or tubercular roots, 
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. 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 im very dry climates. Some are terrestrial, and others 
are epiphytic. The former are commonly seen in temperate climates, the 
latter in warm regions. 
The plants of this order are well distinguished by the peculiar form of 
their flowers, their remarkable lip, gynandrous stamens, and pollen 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 
84 
