TAXONOMY 
307 
modified and fused'with two outer petaloid stamens as a labellum 
or lighting-board for’insects. Third stamen of outer whorl fertile 
(Orchidea) or a barrel knob ( Cypripedia ); pollen of fertile anther ag¬ 
glutinate as pollinia. Three stamens of inner circle barren and 
petaloid or one absent (Cypripedicd ). Stamens all epigynous and 
Fig. 170.—Floral organs of an orchid (Cattleya sp.). A, the entire flower; sep, 
sepal; pet, petal; B, column, showir.g s, stigma and r, the rostellum (beak), with 
the small glands at the tip; to the glands are attached the four strap-shaped 
caudicles of the pollinia; C, pollinia, with the four caudicles; below, the gland; D, 
longitudinal section of the column; p, pollinium; E, the same, enlarged. (Gager.) 
often three are fused with the style as gynandrium. Carpels three, 
syncarpous, with inferior, three rarely four, one (usually)- celled 
ovary. Fruit a capsule, three-valved and one-celled. Seeds minute, 
abundant and wind disseminated. 
