Cheeseman. — Oyi a New Species of Corysanthes. 351 



lakes or slow-running streams in the northern portion of the 

 colony It may be expected to show a rapid increase. 



While on the subject of water-weeds, I may mention that 

 there is some risk of the establishment in the northern por- 

 tion of the colony of the water-hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes), 

 a plant of very similar habit to Ottelia, although in reality 

 belonging to a very different order. It is now commonly 

 cultivated in ponds or small tanks, and apparently does well 

 in our climate. Its naturalisation ought to be guarded against, 

 for in Florida, where it was introduced some years since, it 

 has increased to such an enormous extent as to completely 

 block the navigation of several of the more sluggish rivers. 



Abt. XXX. — Description of a Neio Species of Corysanthes. 



By T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., F.Z.S. 

 \_Recul before the Auckland Institute, 10th October, 1898.] 



Corysanthes matthe^wsii, n. sp. 



A very delicate little plant, barely more than lin. in 

 height, including the flower. Leaf ^ in. -lin. in length, 

 solitary, membranous, broadly ovate-cordate or orbicular- 

 cordate, sessile, subacute or obtuse, when dry showing one 

 or two veins on each side of the midrib connected by trans- 

 verse veinlets. Flower solitary, shortly peduncled, about 

 ^ in. in length, drooping, purplish-green. Bract small, erect. 

 Upper sepal very narrow at the base, widened towards the 

 tip and arched forwards, so as to become hood-shaped, 

 obtuse. Lateral sepals and petals very small, narrow linear- 

 subulate, barely more than one-half the length of the lip. 

 Lip large, involute, the lateral margins meeting behind the 

 column and enclosing it, orbicular-cordate or slightly three- 

 lobed when spread out, veined ; apex truncate, produced 

 downwards, entire or very slightly fringed. Column short, 

 stout, curved. Fully ripe capsules not seen. 



Hab. Vicinity of Kaitaia, Mongonui County : Mr. B. H. 

 Matthews. 



I have pleasure in dedicating this pretty little plant to its 

 discoverer, to whom I am indebted for much interesting in- 

 formation respecting the botany of his district. It agrees 

 with Gor7jsanthes cheesemanii, Hook, f., in the lateral sepals 

 and petals being much reduced in size, but differs altogether 

 in the shape of the lip, which is not recurved at the apex, 

 nor produced at the base into the two curious spurs of 



