20 
to the leaflet, while the leaflets of Macrozamia have no midrib, but a 
number of parallel nerves. 
Orchtde^e. — This is the name of probably the most beautiful order 
of plants ; in species it outnumbers the grasses, and their forms are 
innumerable. The structure of the flowers is peculiar, and one might 
imagine that no dilflculty would be experienced in at once detecting 
any plant of the order if a flow'er were to be seen, although to allot 
the plant to its particular genus or species might be very difficult. 
How'cver, as flowers of this beautiful and cuiuous family may frequently 
be brought to the teacher, it might be well on such occasions to 
explain to the child bringing the flower that, like the pea-flower, the 
orchid floAver has recehxd peculiar names for its parts. The flowers 
are said to be hermaphrodite, which is, each flower contains both male 
and female organs ; that the flower is superior, above the ovary ; that 
the petal-like parts — segments — are 6 ; the three outer are spoken of as 
the sepals, one known as the dorsal, and the two side ones as the lateral. 
The two lateral inner ones are the petals ; these are similar to each 
other; the third petal is usually very dissimilar from the others, and 
called the labcllum; this is frequently lobed, and upon its face will 
often be found beautiful glandular appendages, which arc spoken of 
as fringe, plates, or calli. In the centre of the flower is what is called 
the column, consisting of the combined andrtecium and pistil ; on this 
column, near the top, may be seen the stigma, and at the summit, 
under a cap wliich is easily remoA^ed, Avill be seen the pollen-masses— 
this is the anther. To describe thus far Avould probably cause the 
child to lake more interest in these flowers, and the above explanations 
could bo giA-en in a few minutes ; but to go further in dissecting the 
flower Avould require the aid of magnifying glasses, probably not 
possessed by the young folks. Still, it might be pointed out to them 
that plants of this large family are of variable habit ; that those found 
growing in the soil are said to be terrestrial, and when found growing 
upon the branches or trunks of trees, epiphytal. Some others might 
be termed saprophytal. A good illustration of this kind Avill be found 
in that large climbing orchid Galeola foliaia ; this is never found 
except groAving in old rotten stumps or roots. 
Plants belonging to Amartllidej;, the Sippeastrims and 
Crinnms, for instance, are often spoken of as Lilies, a mistake Avhich 
need never occur if persons Avould obserA'e the position of the oAwy 
alone; for in Amaryllidese this organ is alw^ays inferior or beloAv the 
perianth, Avbile in Liliaeeae it is superior or above the perianth. We 
find some persons who haA*e forgotten, and others Avho know Jio better, 
calling by the name of Crocus that pretty Amaryllidaceous plant so 
frequently used in oiir gardens for edgings {Zephyranthes caiidida^^ 
and whose pure Avhite flowers, we are told, suggested the name La 
Plata for the American river. That this plant could not be allied to 
the Crocus might be at once known by counting the stamens, of Avhich 
organs there are 0, while in the Crocus^ Avhich belongs to Iridese, 
there are but 3, In our gardens it is not infrequent that we find 
plants of Cordylme labelled JDraewna. It may therefore be stated 
that, Avhile there is much similarity in the foliage of the two genera, 
the fruit differs considerably ; in the cells of the fruit of Dracmna 
there being but a solitary ovule, Avhilo they are found numerous in 
each cell of the CordyUne fruit. Both genera belong to Liliaeeae. 
