in the lateral lobes of the lip which in HZ. maaillaris are 
described as a little shorter than the mid-lobe, whereas 
in H. repens they are more or less longer than the mid- 
lobe. In such a variable group as Habenaria, however, 
the relative length of the lobes of the lip has been found 
to be inconstant. 
This species extends from North Carolina (U.S. <A.) 
through the West Indies, Central America and South 
America to Paraguay and Argentina. 
Stelis gracilifolia C. Schweinfurth sp. nov. 
Herba pro genere mediocris, caespitosa, epiphytica. 
Caules abbreviati, vaginis arcte tubulatis evanidis omnino 
velati. Folium adscendens, lineare vel oblanceolato- 
lineare, infra in petiolum plusminusve distinctum sensim 
angustatum, in siccitate valde coriaceum. Inflorescentia 
unica, quam folium conspicue brevior, erecta, supra dense 
multiflora. Flores perparvi, carnosi, brunneo-purpurel. 
Sepala rotundato-ovata, simillima, late obtusa, inferne 
connata, trinervia, intus minute papillosa. Petala multo 
minora, cuneato-flabellata, apice lato incrassata. Label- 
lum ovatum vel oblongo-ovatum, late obtusum, multo 
incrassatum. Columna abbreviata. 
Plant medium-sized for the genus, caespitose. Roots 
numerous, fibrous, glabrous, slender. Stems abbreviated, 
up to 8 cm. long, entirely concealed by two or three close 
tubular evanescent sheaths. Leaf ascending, linear or 
(inclusive of the petiole) oblanceolate-linear, obtuse and 
minutely apiculate at the apex, gradually narrowed to a 
more or less distinct channelled petiole, very thick and 
fleshy when fresh (or when boiled), 8-17.2 cm. long, 5-6 
mm. wide in the dried plant. Inflorescence solitary, erect, 
up to 12.7 em. long; raceme densely many-flowered, up 
to 8.8 cm. long. Floral bracts abbreviated, broadly in- 
fundibuliform, shorter than the pedicellate ovary. Flow- 
[ 38 
