liv APPENDIX. 



lum^^^^ Microtis,^*^^ the names and characters of which are 

 given below, but none of which are at all worth introduction 

 to gardens as objects of ornament. 



Of the genus Caleana, however, there is one species which, 

 although inconspicuous in appearance, requires to be noticed 

 on account of its remarkable irritability, of which Mr. James 

 Drummond has given an account in the Gardener's Maga- 

 zine before referred to. He calls this C. nigrita,'^'^^ one of 

 the most curious of sensitive plants; his description being 

 made without a sufficient acquaintance with the organs of 

 fructification must be remodelled, but was probably intended 

 to be to the following effect. The column is a boat-shaped 

 box, resembling a lower lip ; the labellum forms a lid that 

 exactly fits it, and is hinged on a claw which reaches the 

 middle of the column ; when the flower opens, it (the label- 

 lum) turns round within the column, and falls back, so that, 

 the flower being inverted, it stands fairly over the latter. 

 The moment a small insect touches its point, the labellum 

 makes a sudden revolution, brings the point to the bottom of 

 the column, passing the anther in its way, and thus makes 

 prisoner any insect which the box will hold. When it 

 catches an insect it remains shut while its prey continues to 

 move about ; but if no capture is made the lid soon recovers 



(256; Prasophyllum giganteum ; ovarlis cylindraceis subsessilibus bractea acuta 

 plus duplo longioribus, sepalis acutis lateralibus superne distinctis basi 

 cohserentibus, labello oblongo-lanceolato undulato, folio dimidium superius 

 caulis breviore. 



(257) Prasopbyllum macrotys ; ovariis cylindraceis subsessilibus bractea acutissima 

 plus duplo longioribus, spica multiflora, sepalis acutiusculis lateralibus su- 

 perne distinctis, columns laciniis lateralibus linearibus anthera duplo lon- 

 gioribus, folio dimidium superius caulis subsequante. 



(258) Prasophyllum ovale ; ovariis clavatis bractea ovali ter longioribus, sepalis 

 obtusis posticis distinctis labelli longitudine, labelli ovalis supra medium 

 callosi apice obtuso undulato. 



(259) Prasophyllum gracile ; ovariis pedicellatis bractea acuta ter longioribus, 

 sepalis acuminatis lateralibus basi cohserentlbus, labello cordato ovato acuto 

 nudo medio semel undulato, folio caule multo longiore. 



(2G0) Prasophyllum parvifoliiim ; ovariis clavatis, spica pauciflora obtusa, sepalis 

 acuminatis lateralibus basi saccatis, petalis conformibus, rostello longissimo 

 setaceo. 



(261) Microtis «#rff^a; folio basi cucullato caule longiore, spica densa cylin- 

 dracea, sepalis lateralibus oblongis revolutis supremo subrotundo, petalis 

 ovatis acutis, labello oblongo obtuso nudo. Flores minutissimi atri. 



(262) Caleana nigrita; folio ovato acuminato obtuso basi cucullato, scapo nudo, 

 labelli lamina lineari tuberculata basi subcordata apice angustata indivisa. 



