196 



Wli 



[At 



rools of the orchids gave approximately the same reaction. The 



Pogonias were found in more or less clear spaces in the woods and 

 tlicir roots were always intertwined with decaying organic matter in 

 which the fibres of the plant remains were distinguishable. 



Out of the fifteen plants observed, five bore two flowers each, and 

 two plants with solitary flowers had two capsules on the old stem 

 persisting from last year. The maximum and minimum dimensions 

 of the various organs were measured in thirteen plants and are as 

 follows: 



Organ 



Si (>in : from root 

 to leaves. 



Dimension 



Height 



Maximum 

 20.0 cm. 



Minimum 

 9.5 cm. 



Mean 

 17 cm. 



Leaves 



Length 



Width 



5.8 cm. 

 3.0 cm. 



2.7 cm. 

 1.1 cm. 



4.4 em- 



2.1 em- 



Ovary and 

 Peduncle 



Total 

 Length 



2.0 cm. 



1.4 cm. 



1.(5 cm. 



Peduncle of 



old capsule 



Lengl li 



1.3 cm. 



0.8 cm. 



1.0 cm. 



( 'apsule 



Length 



Width 



2.7 cm. 

 1.0 cm. 



1.7 cm. 



O.S em. 



2.0 cm. 

 0.<) cm. 



Sepals 



Lengl h 



'I.'.i cm. 



1.7 em. 



2.0 cm. 



Petals 



Length 



1.7 cm. 



1.3 em. 



1.6 em. 



The orchid is very distinct from the larger whorled Pogonia, P. 

 verticillata. Pogonia affinis is more delicate in habit and of a much 

 paler green. One of its most noticeable features in the field is the 

 fine bloom which covers the stem and leaves but rubs oil' very easily 

 when the plant is handled. A slight bloom has been observed on 

 the stem of /'. nrticilhifn but not on the leaves. The whorl of five 

 leaves in /'. affinis is close to the base of the ovary so that tin- short 

 peduncle is not distinguishable to (Ik- eye, and all the leaves assume 

 a slightly drooping position, making an angle of about 45 degrees 

 with the stem. All the leaves observed tapered at the apex consider- 

 ably more than is indicated by the drawing in the Illustrated Flora. 

 No plants were observed to bear a sterile whorl of leaves as is com- 

 mon with /'. verticillata. The flowers of Pogonia affinis are a pale 

 yellowish green when young and some quite yellow when fully ma- 

 ture. The lip however, is almost white and is crested over the whole 

 face and lobes with pale green. After for til zation the short peduncle 



