158 Matthews.—Abnormal Flowers in Orchis purpurea , Huds. 
distribution of bundles, in fact, would seem to be determined by physiological 
needs. 
In the foregoing account I have referred to the auricles or staminodes 
as the representatives of the stamens A3, A3, for in a transverse section 
through the bud of a normal flower (Fig. 4) their relative position to the 
other floral parts indicates that they belong to the outer staminal whorl. 
I have already mentioned that in the diandrous flowers one of the staminodes 
remained normal. It is natural to assume, therefore, that in the triandrous 
condition the extra stamens represent both staminodes transformed, and, 
like the staminodes in a normal flower, belong to the outer androecial whorl. 
Thus it seems that the stamens A3, A3, are not associated with the labellum. 
This structure remains a simple organ whose analogue is to be found 
in various other families, and the explanation of its size and shape is to be 
sought for in biological connexions. 
I wish to tender my thanks to Dr. H. C. I. Gwynne-Vaughan for kind 
help and criticism during the preparation of this note. 
Summary. 
1. Diandrous and triandrous flowers of Orchis purpurea , Huds. found 
in Kent are described. 
3. The extra stamens are the transformed staminodes. 
3. The staminodes in a normal flower have no vessels, but when they 
develop as fertile stamens they are provided with a vascular supply. 
Literature. 
1. Von Martius (’ 25 ) : Flora, p. 736. 
2 . Kirschleger, Dr.. (’ 44 ) : Teratologische Notizen. Flora, p. 131. 
3 . Masters, M. T. (’ 69 ): Vegetable Teratology, p. 380. 
4 . Penzig, O. (’ 94 ): Pflanzen-Teratologie, Bd. ii, p. 357. 
5 . Brown, R. (’ 33 ) : On the Organs and Mode of Fecundation in Orchideae and Asclepiadeae. 
Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xvi, p. 131. 
6. Cruger, H. (’65) : On the Fecundation of Orchids and their Morphology. Journ. Linn. Soc., 
vol. viii, p. 131. 
7 . Darwin, C. (’ 77 ): Fertilisation of Orchids. 
8 . Pfitzer, E. (’ 89 ): Orchidaceae. Engler und Prantl, Die naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien, ii. Teil, 
6. Abt., p. 52. 
