308 Transactions. — Botany. 



2. Of an orchid, Gastrodia leucopetala, Col. In another 

 part of the same wood I was much pleased on finding no less 

 than eleven specimens of this (now rare) terrestrial orchid, all 

 growing together within a small semi-enclosed spot of about 

 2ft. in diameter ; and just beyond were two more. This was 

 at the end of January, and of course they were all past flower- 

 ing, as this curious plant flowers about Christmas ; their 

 upright reed-like stems were nearly alike in size, each being 

 about 2^ft. high, and full-flowered. The eleven specimens 

 were growing close to the base of a large living rimu tree 

 (Dacrydium cupressinum) , and nearly surrounded by its high 

 and naked roots, projecting like ridges from its trunk, which 

 no doubt had been the means of preserving the roots of these 

 plants, which are tolerably large and fleshy, and are edible 

 both by man (the old Maoris) and pigs. In fact, I have long 

 been of opinion that the main cause of this orchid now being 

 so rarely met with in its forest habitat is owing to its root 

 being eagerly sought after and eaten by the wild pigs. For a 

 full description of this fine species see Transactions N.Z. Insti- 

 tute, vol. xviii., p. 268. I may further remark that those 

 specimens there described were also obtained from another 

 part of this same wood. 



While mentioning a species of the order Orchidcce, I may 

 further observe that several of the indigenous epiphytal ones 

 are well represented in the forests here — viz., Dcndrobium 

 lessonii, Col. ; Earina autumnalis, Hook. ; E. mucronata, 

 Lindl. ; E. quadrilobata, Col. ; E. alba, Col. ; also, but more 

 sparingly, that curious and rare one Sarcocliilus brcviscapa, 

 Col. : all these usually grow high up on the larger timber- 

 trees, in the forks of their main upper branches, which makes 

 it to be so difficult to get good specimens of them ; but now 

 that those trees are being felled for timber, specimens of those 

 orchids are more easily obtainable. 



These plants certainly add largely to the beauty of our 

 New Zealand forests in their flowering-season, about mid- 

 summer, when gracefully pendent producing their numerous 

 flowers at the tips of their long lithe branchlets swinging in 

 the wind. Indeed, the curiously-marked long woody polished 

 ringed stems of the Dcndrobium are a pleasant object of con- 

 templation and study, as such are sure to remind the beholder 

 of the regularly-ringed and shining stems of the malacca and 

 other walking-canes. 



3. A fungus, Ilcodictyon cibarium, Tulasne, var. g'njan- 

 tcum, Col. Of this highly-curious fungus I have met with a 

 remarkable fine specimen, which I have (for the present) 

 termed a variety, but which may prove to be another species 

 of that strange and singular genus. It is not only twice or 

 three times the size of the largest I have ever yet seen, but it 



