In S. foliosa the mid-lobe of the lip is definitely the 
largest, while in Hneyclia nana the lobes of the lip are 
described as equal. In the floral analysis of H. nana, 
however, the mid-lobe of the lip appears to be distinctly 
larger than the lateral lobes. In specimens of Polystachya 
JSoliosa in the Ames Herbarium the degree of excess in 
size of this lobe over the lateral lobes appears to vary 
considerably. 
Whereas the flowers of Stelis foliosa were described as 
greenish, those of H/ncycla nana, were cited as sulphur- 
colored. Ina large series of specimens referable to Poly- 
stachya nana the color of the flowers (wherever noted) 
varies from yellow to orange. 
In the types of both Mneycla nana and Stelis foliosa 
the inflorescence is described and shown as a simple ra- 
ceme. In Polystachya foliosa, however, the inflorescence 
is described by Cogniaux as lightly branching and more 
rarely simple. This variation appears frequently in the 
specimens of P. foliosa examined, even in a single col- 
lection. 
Considerable variability also appears in the proportions 
of the leaves of P. foliosa, the range being from elongate- 
linear with a width of 2 mm. to linear-elliptic with a width 
of over 9 mm. Also, the inflorescence varies from being 
much shorter than the leaves to distinctly exceeding 
them. 
In Stelis folliosa almost the entire central longitudinal 
area of the lip was described and shown as densely and 
evenly glandular-downy or papillose. In Mneyclia nana 
the farinaceous callus is basal. In all of the specimens 
which | have seen referred to Polystachya foliosa there is 
a prominent basal farinaceous callus, as in A/neyclia nana. 
It seems advisable, therefore, to consider these varia- 
ble forms as conspecific. 
It appears highly probable that the Brazilian Poly- 
[ 186 | 
