•^1 



laxa 7-8-florri, br.icteis lanceolatis acuminatis incurvis ovavio hirsuto 

 longioribus, sepalis glaberriniis supremo retuso lateralibus obtusis apice 

 concavis, labello basi imu glabvo sagittate supra basin intus villoso apice 

 obovato obtuso concavo nitido subcrenato. 



A singular terrestrial Orchidaceous plant, sent from Gua- 

 temala to tlie Horticultural Society by Mr. Hartweg. It 

 belongs to that section of the genus Spiranthes, of which the 

 old Neottia speciosa is the type, and which has been called by 

 Presl Sarcooiottis, amono- all which it is at once known by its 

 flowering without leaves, and its dull olive-brown aspect. The 

 stem is altogether about l^r foot hiofh, covered with white 

 hairs and clothed by rather distant scales which are long, 

 narrow, lanceolate, taper-pointed, and turned round the stem 

 somewhat in a spiral direction. Although the other parts 

 are hairy, the sepals and petals, which are more than an inch 

 long, are perfectly smooth, and shining as if varnished, both 

 inside and outside. Externally they are of the same dull 

 olive-brown as the stem ; but inside they are of a clear bright 

 greenish-yellow, the tip Ijeing beautifully streaked with bright 

 green veins. This organ is hairy inside below the middle, 

 and at the base is extended downwards into two narrow barbs, 

 which are the calli of Spiranthes proper extending beyond the 

 edge. The lip adheres to the column with so much force 

 that it is difficult to detach it. The column is taper, at the 

 very base smooth, higher up papillose, then hollowed into a 

 narrow smooth cavity, next furnished with a prominent smooth 

 vesicle looking like a tubercle, and finally terminating in an 

 oblong arched stigma, the lower part of which is viscid and 

 the upper dry and membranous. There is nothing horny in 

 this part, or in any of the appendages of the pollen-masses. 



20. BEGONIA vitifolia. 



B. vitifolia; fruticosa caulibus carnosis ferrugineo-pubescentibus, foliis longe 

 petiolatis concavis oblique ovatis grosse incise- dentatis supra glabris 

 subtus subpubescentibus, paniculis axiilaribus ferrugiueo-tomentnsis, 

 bracteis subrotundo- ovatis convexis floribusque dipetalis glabris, ovarii 

 alis semicircularibus sequalibus. 



A fine species from Guatemala, with leaves something 

 like those of a Vine in colour, form and size ; their stalks are 

 about six inches long. The flowers are white, large, in loose 

 panicles about as long as, or shorter than, the leaves. Sent 

 to the Horticultural Society by Mr. Hartweg. 



