148 CLASS-BOOK OF BOTANY. 
mally produced in Cypripediwm, while the terminal anther is 
modified to serve as a shield). Ovary inferior, 1-celled, with 
numerous minute ovules on 3 parietal placentz ; style forming 
the front of the column and terminating in the rostellum ; 
stigma consisting of a viscid surface, usually 2-lobed, and often 
concave, on the face of the column. Fruit a capsule, generally 
dehiscing by 3 valves, which separate from the midribs of the 
carpels. Seeds very numerous, minute, with very loose reti- 
culate testa, no endosperm, and a fleshy embryo. (Pp. 93-98, 
figs. 180-196.) 
This is one of the largest orders of flowering plants, consisting of 
some 350 genera and nearly 5,000 species, distributed over all parts of the 
earth except the very coldest. The epiphytal forms are most abundant 
in tropical regions, It is also one of the, if not the, most remarkably 
developed of all orders of flowering plants, the diversity of form of the 
flowers and the extreme specialisation of many of them being extra- 
ordinary. In New Zealand there are 18 genera, represented by 41 species, 
the general affinity of all of them being either Australian, Polynesian, or 
Malaysian ; but two genera—EHarina (2 sp.) and Adenochilus (1 sp.)—are 
endemic. The following are the other genera: Dendrobiwm (cunninghamii), 
perhaps the same as a Polynesian species; Bolbophyllum (pygmaeum) and 
Sarcochilus (adversus), both endemic ;—these three, with Havina, are our 
epiphytal species: Gastrodia (cunninghamii), endemic, a curious erect 
leafless plant; Actanthws (1 sp.), Cyrtostylis (2 sp.), and Corysanthes 
(6 sp.) are all endemic ; the latter are pretty little plants found growing 
in shady places, each with 1 leaf and 1 purple flower; Microtis (1 sp.), 
Caladenia (2 sp.), Chiloglottis (2 sp.), and Lyperanthus (1 sp.) are also 
endemic ; Pterostylis (8 sp., of which 3 are endemic, and the rest either 
Australian or closely allied to Australian species); similarly Thelymitra 
(6 sp.) has 2 endemic, and the rest Australian species; Prasophyllwm, 
3 sp. also found in Tasmania or Australia; Spiranthes, 1 ubiquitous 
species; and Orthoceras,1 sp., closely allied to an Australian form. With 
a few exceptions, the local forms are not remarkable for striking peculiari- 
ties in their mode of fertilisation, as is the case with so many other 
forms. 
The order yields very few useful products, the most important being 
the capsules of Vanilla, which emit a very delicious perfume. The 
flavouring principle (vanillin) is now prepared to a considerable extent 
from coal-tar products. 
Orchids are chiefly cultivated for the beauty and magnificence of 
their flowers. Their cultivation is a special branch of horticulture, and 
the passion for orchid-growing has of late years become a perfect mania 
in parts of Hurope. . 
Order IV, Lintacez. 
Herbs, rarely shrubs or trees, of very various habit, with 
bulbs, or fibrous roots, or creeping rhizomes. Flowers regu- 
lar, % or rarely unisexual. Perianth inferior, of 6 coloured 
leaflets in 2 series, or 6-lobed. Stamens 6, hypogynous, or 
inserted on the perianth; anthers oblong or linear. Ovary 
3-celled, or rarely 1-celled, with 8 parietal placente; style 
usually simple, stigmas 3-lobed; ovules 2 or more, rarely 1, 
in each cell. Fruit a 8-celled loculicidal capsule or a 1-3- 
celled berry ; seeds rounded or flattened, with small terete em- 
bryo and horny or fleshy endosperm. (Pp. 91-93, figs. 174-179.) 
