426 Transactions. — Botany. 



fin. long, linear, sometimes with infolded margins ; the dorsal 

 sepal narrow linear-spathulate, 3-nerved. The lateral sepals 

 spring from either side of a strap-shaped process or hinge 

 which carries the labellum, and is about -^.rm. long, and un- 

 equally waved or wrinkled at the margin. The labellum itself 

 is broadly pear-shaped, but, owing to a constriction at the 

 middle, is unequally 2-Iobed : it is peltately attached by its 

 broad end to the process just described, and is margined with 

 rather large purplish-red tubercles, the largest benig situate 

 at the free extremity : the exterior surface is green. The 

 column is nearly as long as the sepals, and is furnished with a 

 large dilated wing on each side, the whole forming a cup- 

 shaped cavity, which is capable of being closed by the label- 

 lum. Owing to the inversion of the flower, the anther occupies 

 the lowest part. The entire flower presents a strange re- 

 semblance to a spider, the body of which is formed by the 

 expanded and dilated column, the legs by the narrow-linear 

 sepals and petals, and the cephalothorax by the labellum : 

 the resemblance is increased by the dull-red or reddish-brown 

 coloration of the column and the tips of both sepals and 

 petals. The pollen-masses are four in number. 



The position of the labellum when not closed is nearly 

 horizontal, the free extremity being more or less ascending at 

 first. One of my specimens has an apparently ripe capsule, 

 with perfect seeds. 



The following instructive and interesting remarks on the 

 hinge of the labellum and on the probable mode of fertilisation 

 in Galeana major, E. Br., are copied from the splendid work 

 on " Austrahan Orchids" by E. D. Fitzgerald, F.L.S., and 

 will be welcomed by all students of New Zealand plants: 

 although the hinge is shorter in G. minor, there is no other 

 difference : — 



" The labellum is not sensitive, but when raised remains in 

 unstable equilibrium, subject to be closed by a slight touch. 

 The mechanism of the hinge by which this end is obtained is 

 curious and simple. Imagine a thin strap of indiarubber 

 having its edges slightly contracted : the result would be 

 that the centre would bulge to one side or the other, and 

 according to the side on which the convexity or concavity lay 

 the strap would be bent. It is evident that a lid so supported 

 would be ready to fall on a slight pressure from behind ; but 

 in this flower the column has taken the position usually 

 occupied by the labellum, and an insect alighting on it would 

 not bring down the lid, a touch or even a push from the 

 front having no effect, while the falling of the lid from a touch 

 on the back would be but to exclude the insect. ... It 

 struck me that the weight of the insect might here act to bring 

 down the labellum, which in other cases springs up by elas- 



