ORCHIS. 227 



neral character of this exotic Ophrys conies nearer 

 to the Bee than the Fly Ophrys of this country. 



The Bee Ophrys flowers about a month later 

 than the Fly Ophrys, and the flowering spike is 

 thicker and shorter than the latter species, being 

 generally from about six to ten inches in height. 

 The flowers are considerably broader and closer 

 set, and in shape and colour resemble a small hum- 

 ble bee. The spike seldom produces more than 

 four or six flowers, but like the Fly Ophrys, it 

 continues a considerable time in blossom before it 

 "withers, unless it is too much exposed to the sun 

 or the winds. The leaves of this plant are of an 

 ovate lanceolate shape, silvery underneath, and con- 

 siderably larger than those of the Fly Ophrys. 



This plant, which was included among the varie- 

 ties of the insectifera of Linnaeus, is a native of 

 several parts of Europe, and an indigenous plant 

 of our calcareous soil near woods, and in meadows. 

 We have found it growing in the park belonging 

 to his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, at Arundel, in 

 Sussex. " It has been found also near Charlton- 

 church, and Chislehurst, in Kent. It grows also 

 on Trunhill-downs in the same county. In Cam- 

 bridgeshire it is abundant about Madingley-wood, 

 Hinton, Feversham, Fulbourn, Burrough-green, 

 Chippenham, and Linton. In Bedfordshire, at 

 Bolnhurst. In Buckinghamshire, at Bradenham. 



