Tab. 41. A. - 
TRIBRACHIA REPTANS. 
Nat. Orv. Orchidee; Tribus Malaxidee. Linn. Syst. Gynandria Monandria. 
TRIBRACHIA, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. t. 832, in textu. Pollinia 2 cereacea posticé sulcata : caudicula et glandula 0. 
Anthera terminalis opercularis decidua semibilocularis membranacea. Columna apice bicirrhosa. Labellum 
posticum integrum cum basi producté column unguiculatum. Sepala patentia : lateralibus exterioribus cum basi 
columne connatis ; interioribus nanis.—Herbe epiphyte, acaules, bulbose (Asie temperate et Africee equinocti- 
alis) ; caudicibus reptantibus ; scapis radicalibus ; floribus parvis. 
TrRipracui, foliis lineari-lanceolatis solitariis, spicis secundis foliis brevioribus. 
Descr. Caudex reptans, teres, articulatus, glaber, Squamarum vestigiis vestitus. Budbi solitarii, distantes, ovati, arcuati, 
seniles glabri, vegeti squamarum vestigiis fibrosis vestiti. Folia solitaria, lineari-lanceolata, erecta, breviter petiolata. Spica 
radicalis, erecta, filiformis, squamis ovato-lanceolatis vaginata. ores parvi, glaberrimi, suberecti. Perianthium sepits rec- 
tum, patens, sepalis exterioribus e basi lata lineari-lanceolatis, acuminatis, lateralibus ad basin cum columna product connatis ; _ 
interioribus nanis, ellipticis, obtusis. Labellum nanum, carnosum, ovatum, integrum, cum basi producté columne unguicula- 
tum, et in eampronum. Colwmna parva, marginibus tumidis sursum in cirrhis duobus desinentibus posticé dentatis. Stigma pla- 
niusculum : rostello ovato. Anthera terminalis, opercularis, pseudo-bilocularis, membranacea. Pollinia 2, subglobosa, posticé 
sulco exarata, demum in granulis quaternatis solubilia, caudicula et glandula nullis. 
The genus Tribrachia, some species of which have been referred by Sir James Smith to Stelis, is nearly related 
to Pleurothallis, from which it is distinguished by its pollen masses being furrowed behind, by the two cirrhi of the 
columna, by the manner in which the two exterior lateral sepals, and the labellum which is always posterior, are 
united with the columna, and finally by its radical not terminal inflorescence. The subject of this plate is a native 
of Nepal, whence specimens have been communicated to us by Edward Rudge, Esq. Another genus resembling 
this in habit, which may be called Sunipia on account of the resemblance it bears to the Sunipiang of the Ne- 
palese, has four pollen masses, each pair being furnished with a separate caudicula. It has also a sessile labellum not 
attached to the lengthened base of the columna. 
The following are the only species of Tribrachia of which we have any certain knowledge :— 
TRIBRACHIA. 
* Species certissime. 
1. T. reptans. Nob. in hoc loco. 
Hab. in Nepalia. (v. s. sp.) 
2. 'T. odoratissima. 
Stelis odoratissima. Smith in Rees in ]. 
Stelis caudata. Don prodr. nep. 32 ? 
Hab. in Nepalia. (v. s. sp. in herb. Hooker.) 
3. T. hirta, 
Stelis hirta. Smith in Rees. 
Hab. in Nepalia. (v. s. sp.) 
4. 'T. purpurea ; foliis .. . . . ., squamis scapi membranaceis ventricosis, spicd dens& multi- 
flora, bracteis membranaceis floribus equalibus, sepalis 2 interioribus tenuibus aristatis. 
Pleurothallis purpurea. Don prodr. nep. 33. 
Hab. in Nepalia.  (v. s. sp. in herb. Hooker.) 7 
5. T. pendula ; foliis ovalibus subtus discoloribus apice inequalibus emarginatis in bulbis ovatis 
compressis solitariis, scapis pendulis, spicis imbricatis, sepalis ovatis acuminatis : interioribus 
obovatis. 
Hab. in S. Leona. (wv. v. cult.) 
** Species incerte. 
? 6. Stelis racemosa. Smith in Rees. 
Hab. in Nepalia. 
? 7. Stelis biflora. Smith in Rees. 
Hab. in Nepalia. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE. 
1. A halfback view of the flower in its natural position. 2. The same with the outer sepals removed. 3. Labellum. 
4,5. Different views of the columna. 6, Anther. 7. Pollen masses. 8. Grains of pollen. 
