4 PROCEEDI^'GS OF THE 



several rarer species of the Orcbidaceae," and communicated by 

 Mr. C. E. Salmon, F.L.S. 



The lecturer stated tbat he is engaged iu obtaining a series o£ 

 photographs o£ the British Wild Orchids, his intention being to 

 secure photographs of every possible species in situ, as well as at 

 closer quarters at home, when arranged against a plain background. 

 During the season of 1911 he was fortunate enough to obtain two 

 species not hitherto recorded for East Sussex. The first of these 

 was the Brown-veined Orchid, Orcliis imrpurea, found in the Ouse 

 district, near Lewes, in the month of May by Mr. Herbert Jenner, 

 of Lewes. 



This interesting find was the prelude of another of perhaps even 

 greater interest, for in the month of June the lecturer found a 

 specimen of the rare Lizard Orchid, Orchis Jiircina, in the Cuckmere 

 district near Eastbourne. 



This also proved to be a record for East Sussex, although a 

 single specnnen was discovered in West Sussex in 1907 near the 

 border of the county. When discovered the specimen was only 

 just coming into blossom, but it was decided to pick and take it 

 home. The plant measured 12.| inches in height and doubtless 

 would have grown higher had it been left. The flowers opened 

 at the rate of three or four each day during the time it was kept 

 indoors, and about a week after the specimen had been picked all 

 the flowers were open except those at the extreme tip. 



It was, at this stage, taken back and temporarily fixed to its own 

 stalk and photographed in situ on 22nd June. The plant did not 

 produce a bloom during the past season (1912), although several 

 leaves appeared, so it is hoped it may bloom again this season. 



Earlier in the same year (1911) he had found a numerous colony 

 of the Spider Orchid, Oplirys aranifera. In a circular space of 

 about 3 yards radius he counted 65 specimens, and they M^ere in 

 this profusion for a considerable distance on each side. 



The specimens which occur iu Sussex are said to be Ophrys 

 aranifera yhv. facifera : great difficulty was experienced, however, 

 iu distinguishing the variety from the type which is said to occur 

 in Kent and sometimes in Sussex. 



During the past season (1912) he was able to photograph in 

 situ the rare Late Spider Orchid, Ophrys arachnites, in the 

 Eolkestone district. 



Another interesting species to be found in Sussex, although in 

 decreasing numbers, is the Bog Orchid, 2Ialaxis imludosa. Erom 

 its size and position this is a difficult species to photograph in situ. 

 There is little doubt that the specimen Darwin experimented with 

 and mentioned in his ' Fertilisation of Orchids' came from the 

 same locality as the one shown. 



He supposed that he would be correct in calling the Fen Orchid, 

 Liparis Loeselii, one of the rarest of the family. Through the 

 kindness of a distinguished botanist he was able to obtain a 

 photograph of it growing during 1912, but was not at liberty to 

 divulge the exact locality. 



