46 Transactions. 



2. Pterostylis Matthewsii Cheesem. n. sp. 



P. foliatae affinis, sed differt foliis losulatis et multo numerosioribus, 

 lioiibus majoribus conspicue deflexis. 



Planta terrestris, robusta, glabra vel parce puberula, 8-12 cm. alta. 

 Folia radiealia 6-8, ad basin caalis rosulata, petiolata, 2 -4 cm. longa, 

 1-1 "5 cm. lata, oblonga vel oblongo-ovata, acuta vel subacuta, ad basin 

 truncata vel subcordata ; venis conspicue reticulatis. Folia caulina 

 (bracteae) 2, vaginata, acuta, 2-2"5 cm. longa. Flos solitarius, pro planta 

 majusculus, conspicue deflexus, 2-5 cm. longus. Galea valde curvata ; 

 sepalo postico aciito, lateralibus usque ad dimidium fere connatis, ob- 

 lique lanceolatis, breviter acuminatis. Petala falcata, lanceolata, acuminata, 

 sepalo postico fere aequilonga. Labellum breviter unguiculatum ; lamina 

 anguste ligulata, obtusiuscuia, basi appendice brevi apice lacerato-incisa 

 donata. Columna gracilis ; auriculis apice breviter acuminatis. 



Hob. — North Island : Mangonui County, crest of ridge leading to Puke- 

 miro Hill, near Kaitaia, H. B. Matthews! 



Stout, glabrous or sparingly pubernlous, 3-5 in. high. Lower leaves 

 6-8, rosulate at the base of the stem, petiolate, f— If in. long, oblong or 

 oblong-ovate, acute or subacute, truncate or almost subcordate at the base, 

 thin and membranous ; venation conspicuous, consisting of 2 or 3 parallel 

 longitudinal veins on each side of the midrib connected by numerous trans- 

 verse veinlets. Cauline leaves or bracts usually 2, erect and sheathing the 

 greater part of the stem above the leaves, f \\ in. long, lanceolate or oblong- 

 lanceolate, acute. Flowers solitary, large for the size of the plant, f-1 in. 

 long, h in. broad, strongly curved outwards and downwards from the base, 

 so that the tip becomes almost horizontal and points to the stem below the 

 ovary. Upper sepal acute or acuminate ; petals almost equal in length, 

 falcate, lanceolate, acuminate. Lateral sepals (lower lip) connate to the 

 middle, the free portions gradually narrowed into short filiform points 

 embracing the galea. Lip narrow-ligulate, flat, obtuse ; basal appendage 

 short, penicillate at the tip. Column slender ; auricles with an acuminate 

 tooth at the tip. 



No doubt nearly related to P. foliata, but easily separated by the more 

 numerous rosulate radical leaves, which are obviously petiolate and truncate 

 or even subcordate at the base, and by the strongly deflexed flowers. The 

 flowers of P. foliata are always erect at the base, and although the upper 

 part curves forward it never becomes deflexed to anything like the extent 

 of P. Matthewsii. I have much pleasure in dedicating the plant to its 

 zealous discoverer, who, with his father, the late Mr. R. H. Matthews, 

 has done excellent work in investigating tin' orchid flora of the extreme 

 northernmost portions of the Dominion. 



3. Pterostylis trullifolia Hook. f. var. gracilis Cheesem. n. var. (Illus- 

 trations N.Z. Flora, t. 194b, left-hand figure.) 



Taller and more slender than the type, sometimes 9 in. high. Radical 

 leaves usually wanting in flowering specimens, and seldom more than I or 2 

 in barren plants. Cauline leaves narrower. Flowers smaller, |— | in. long ; 

 lobes of the lower lip shorter in proportion. 



Hob. — North Island : Vicinity of Auckland, Waitakarei, and Hunua 

 Ranges, T. F. 0. ; Thames, J. Adams! Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! 



I have been acquainted with this for many years. It probably has the 

 same range as the type, with which it sometimes grows intermixed. 



