308 NOTES ON BRiriSH ORCHIDS. [Sept. 



compact near the point, but somewhat loose farther down. The 

 leaves are placed on broad footstalks, which are stem-clasping, and 

 usually crowded near the base of the stem. 



A mixture of leaf mould, decayed pine pins, and sand will suit 

 it well when introduced as a garden plant; but although under 

 such conditions it flowers freely from year to year, it seldom 

 increases to any great extent. Although somewhat rare in Britain, 

 this plant has a wide geographical range, being found in moist 

 woods in Northern Europe, Asia, and America. It flowers in July 

 and August. 



Genus I'i.—Spiranthes.—'Rootstock composed of tubers or stout fibres. Flowers 

 small, in a more or less spirally -twisted spike. Column arching, with the anther 

 hinged on to the back. Pollen masses four, sessile on one linear gland. 



There are three species, S. autumnalis, S. Romanzoviana, and >S'. cestivalis. 



8. autumnalis (common Spiranth). — Eoot of two or three brownish, oblong, 

 downy tubers, and producing several radical, ovate, rather glaucous leaves. 

 Flowering stem issuing from the side of the tuft of leaves usually about (> 

 inches in length, viscid and downy. Flowers arranged in a close half -spiral 

 spike, small, white, and fragrant. Sej^als and petals half erect, and uniting 

 in a close hood over the \i\). Lip channelled at the base, with the tip crenate. 



A very pretty but small species of Orchid, that occupies dry, hilly 

 pastures and downs, where, from August to October, its deliciously 

 fragrant flowers may not unfrequently be seen in considerable 

 abundance. The root of this orchid is composed of from one to 

 three oblong or cylindrical tubers about 1^ inches in length, rough 

 or downy, and with a very few fibres. From these proceed what 

 may be best described as a tuft of rather small, oval, spear-shaped 

 bright green leaves, that seldom exceed 1 inch in length. Along- 

 side the leaves rises up the flower-stem to a heigh t'of 6, to sometimes, 

 in very favourable situations, as much as 8 inches, with three or 

 four spear-shaped pointed scales which embrace the stem. The 

 flowers are arranged in a singularly spiral spike about 2 inches in 

 length, all diverging horizontally to one side and in a single row, 

 while the bracts remain erect on the opposite side. In England it 

 is fairly abundant from Westmoreland and Yorkshire southwards to 

 the Channel Islands. It is also found, though not plentiful, in 

 some parts of Ireland. 



S. Romanzoviana. — Eootstock composed of two or more fleshy, cylindrical 

 tubei's, each from 2 to 3 inches long, and tapering very slightly down- 

 wards. Leaves broadly lanceolate, usually five or six, ribbed, and clasping the 

 stem. Flowers white, not unlike those of S. autumnalis, but much larger and 

 broader, arranged in three rows, and forming a rather dense, ovate spike of from 

 2 to 3 inches in length. Bracts smooth, not hairy. Sepals and petals uniting 

 in a close hood over the lip. Lip tongue-shaped, recurved at the tip, which 

 is also slightly crenate, contracted in the middle, broader than in any of tlie 

 other species, and almost pure white. The flowers are deliciously flagrant. 



