1885.] NOTES ON BRITISH ORCHIDS. 135 



specimens I have seen were sent me from a damp, lieathy shooting 

 ground in the north of Ireland. In Britain 0. conopsea is pretty 

 abundant, more especially Scotland, where in Dumbartonshire it 

 grows in great quantities. 



There is a white-flowered form, but it is extremely rare. 



0. militaris (military Orchis). — Tubers entire, resembling those of 0. mascula. 

 Leaves f)vate or oblong, and more acute than in the nearly allied 0. fusca^ and the 

 flower destitute of the dark ribs or markings that are so characteristic of that 

 species. Lip of a pale purplish white, three-pai'ted and narrow, the middle one 

 two-lobed and blunt with a point between. Spur short, straight, and hardly half 

 the length of the ovar3\ 



This is a very showy plant, with a rather dense, oblong spike of 

 reddish-grey flowers, marked with darker stripes and spots. It is 

 a rare British species, being confined to a few of the southern 

 English counties bordering on the Thames, and there chiefly in 

 limestone or chalky districts. When fully developed in favourable 

 situations, this handsome plant often reaches nearly 2 feet in height, 

 with broad, acute leaves of from 4 to 5 inches in length. It is 

 readily cultivated, but, as well as all those species confined to chalky 

 downs or limestone districts, requires a little care in planting, other- 

 wise success cannot be relied upon. 



In planting, place the tubers between pieces of limestone, and fill 

 up with soil composed of loam and chalk, varying the latter in 

 quantity according to the requirements of the different species. It 

 flowers in May and June, much depending on the season whether 

 late or early. 



0. fusca (brown- winged Orchis). — Tubers oval, leaves broadly lance-shaped, of 

 a pale shining green, 8 inches in length by fully 1 inch in width, the lower 

 ones usually resting on the ground. Flowers in size and structure somewhat 

 resembling the latter species. Sei^als dark bi'own and converging, forming a 

 helmet-like hood to the flowers. Lip broader than in 0. militaris, three-lobed, 

 with the middle one notched in a rather irregular manner. Side lobes long and 



Like the last species, this is a rare and beautiful plant, and one 

 that is well worthy of a place in any garden, even in the most 

 restricted collection. 



The flowers form a compact, elongated head of nearly 4 inches in 

 length, surmounted on a stem fully a foot in height. They are of 

 a dark purplish-red colour, very conspicuous, and continue in per- 

 fection for nearly a month. In this country 0. fusca is chiefly 

 confined to the chalky woods and downs of Kent, but it is now, like 

 many other native orchids, becoming fast extinct in the few places 

 where it was known to exist. 



Although occasionally offered in choice nursery lists, it is very 

 difiicult to obtain a true specimen of 0. fusca, those sold by dealers 



