Linn. Soc. 24 (1888) 819). 
Microstyls elegantula, of which we have a duplicate 
type, appears to be only a larger form of Malaaxis maqjan- 
themifolia which seems to be a species of the greatest 
variability in size. One collection from Guatemala( T%irch- 
heim IT 1992) contains one plant which is only about 6.5 
em. tall with proportionally small leaves and flowers, 
while the type of Microstylis elegantula sometimes reach- 
es 40 cm.in height. Sometimes, as in the Guatemalan 
collection cited and in specimens from Honduras, the lip 
is relatively shorter than typical with longer basal auri- 
cles and rather broader petals. 
Malaxis majanthemifolia extends trom Mexico 
through Guatemala to Honduras. 
Malaxis pandurata (Sc//tr.) Ames in Proc. Biol. 
Soc. Wash. 85 (1922) 84. 
Microstylis pandurata Schlechter in Fedde Repert. 
3 (1906) 77. 
Microstylis Tiirckheimu Schlechter in Beihefte Bot. 
Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2 (1918) 882. 
Malaais Tuerckheimi Ames in Proc. Biol. Soc. 
Wash. 35 (1922) 85. 
Careful comparison of the drawings and descriptions 
of these species supplemented by flowers from the types, 
kindly sent by Dr. Mansfeld, convince us that they should 
be regarded as synonymous. Indeed the only differences 
between them appear to be the somewhat narrower leaves 
and more prominent central thickening through the disc 
of the lip of Malaais pandurata. These characters, how- 
ever, are transitional and consequently are surely not of 
diagnostic weight. 
This species occurs in Guatemala and Costa Rica. 
Malaxis Parthonti Morren in Bull. Acad. Roy... 
de Belge 5 (1838) 485, t. 
[ 123 | 
