CLASS GYNANDRIA. 
181 
appear as ringent) exhibits the most varied forms ; it is situa- 
ted opposite to the style, which is often petaloid, and seems to 
form an upper ap in accordance with the lower or true petal. 
In Orchis this sixth petal is often trifid, and sometimes divided 
into fringe or hairs ; its base terminates in a seed, or elongated 
nectiferous cavity. Most of the species of Orchis have more 
recently been transferred to the genus Ilahenajria. 
270. The roots of the Orchis sometimes consist of two solid 
bulbs ; in other cases they are oblong, fleshy substances, taper- 
ing toward the ends like the fingers of the hand. The name 
Orchis is derived from a Greek word, signifying an olive-berry, 
on account of some of the roots being round like that fruit. 
Anthers always one or two, and from one to four-celled, sessile, 
or sitting upon the side or apex of the style ; the pollen is easily 
removed from the cells in glutinous masses ; the styles are 
simple, with viscous stigmas of various forms and positions. 
The capsules are one-celled, three-valved, three-keeled ; the 
seeds are numerous and dust-like ; the leaves clasp the stem like 
the leaves of grasses. Tlie Orchis family are monocotyledons 
and exogens. Their roots are tuberiferous. The flowers are 
remarkable for their irregular appearance; some present the 
figure of a fly, others of a spider, a bird, and even of the human 
figure. It would seem that the freaks of these vegetable beings 
are not designed for our observation, for they are as peculiar in 
their choice of habitations as in their external forms, preferring 
wildness, barrenness, and desolation, to the fostering care ol 
man, or the most luxuriant soil. The aromatic vanUla is ob- 
tained from the fruit of a climbing orchis of equatorial re- 
gions : many of the Epipliytes^ or air-plants, which appear 
in great perfection in those regions, are Orchidaceous ; they 
are called air-plants in allusion to their mode of nourishment, 
the roots merely adhering to the bark of trees, or sometimes 
hanging loose ; these plants are called Epiphytes, or para- 
sites, though they do not derive their -sustenance through othei 
plants. 
Fig. 153 re23resents a flower of this 
tribe ; a shows the two masses of pollen 
brought out from the cells of the anther 
which is attached to the pistil. 
271. Order Diandria^ two stamens^ con- 
tains the lady's-slipper (Cypripedium) ; the 
lip is large, inflated, and resembles a slip- 
per. Some species are yellow, some white, 
and others purple. Order Pentandria^ 
five stamens^ contains the milk-weed (As- 
270. Orchis. — 271. Order Diaiidria — Penlandria. 
