394 NOTE ON GASTRODIA SESAMOIDES. 



nor do they seem to be in any way connected with another i)lant. 

 From a careful examination of several plants, I found the roots 

 striking down perpendicularly and perfectly independent of the 

 gum-tree, although from their close proximity to the butt of the 

 tree, it might be supposed that they were in some degree sustained 

 by it. All that can be said on the subject is that the natural 

 habitat of G. sesamoides is the roots of gum-trees, just as Mr. 

 Fitzgerald's Pterostylis Baptistii delights in proximity to those of 

 tea-tree {Melaleuca). G. sesamoides has nothing striking in its 

 appearance, but the species is worthy of study from the fact that 

 its flowers differ so much in structure from those of the orchids 

 common near Sydney, the sepals and petals being united in a five- 

 lobed tube, and the enclosed labellum remarkable for its undulate 

 margin and raised lines confluent near the apex. The genus is 

 common to Queensland, N. S. Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, New 

 Zealand, and the Oriental Archipelago. G. Cunninghami (Hook.) 

 is very nearly allied to G. sesamoides, and differs principally in the 

 colour of its flowers, the size of its roots (which used to be eaten 

 by the New Zealanders), and its frequent occurrence in deep- 

 shaded woods. They are probably varieties of the same species. 



