326 



6. Neottia nidiis-avis, or Bird's Nest Orchis. This most remarkable plant, 

 in appearance more like one of the Orobanches, has its stem, leaves (or rather 

 scales), and flowers all of a dingy-brown hue. It is rather rare, but is well 

 represented in Herefordshire. It is said to have received its old name of " Bird's 

 Nest " from its peculiar root, which consists of very numerous tufted, cylindrical, 

 fleshy fibres, and are supposed to remind one of the sticks used by some birds in 

 the construction of their nests. This Orchis has been found in every district in our 

 county. The members of the Club gathered them abundantly at our last Field 

 meeting, in Aconbury Woods, on the 18th of last month. They have been 

 unusually abundant this year, in other counties as well as our own. 



7. Epipogum aphyUuni, the Yellow-flowered Leafless Orchis. This might 

 almost be called the Herefordshire Orchis. It is fully described by Mr. Edwin 

 Lees in his " Botany of Malvern." His description is from a siJecinien .sent to him 

 by the Rev. Gregory Smith, and was gathered in a copse called "The Paradise," 

 close to Sapey Brook, at Tedstone Delamere, in 1854. It was discovered and 

 gathered by Mrs. Anderton Smith. It was dug up and placed in the Kectory 

 Garden. No other specimen has been since discovered, though carefully sought 

 for. It has been found twice in a wood near Ludlow by Miss Lloyd in 1876, and 

 by Miss Peel in 1878. It is, without doubt, an extremely rare plant. It is known 

 on the Continent, but even there it is most rare. Miss Lewis, of Ludlow, says 

 that she saw the plants found in 1876 and 1878. There were three or four distant 

 florets on the stem, similar to the Bee Orchis, but they were filmy and semi- 

 transparent in appearance. As it has been twice found within the last decade on 

 the borders, if not within our county, we may hope that it will be seen amongst us 

 again ; and if it should be, I venture to express the hope that it may be permitted 

 to grow and seed, and have every chance of reproduction. 



8. Spiranthes aiitumnalis, or Lady's Tresses, is a somewhat rare plant, but 

 may be found in certain districts of our county, about the end of August and 

 during September. It is reported from Lyston, Orcop, and St. Weonard's, from 

 Coughton Marsh and Coppet Wood Hill, also between Hoarwithy and Carey. 

 Mr. Ley found it at Hole-in-the-Wall, Mrs. Armitage at Dadnor, and it has been 

 gathered in Gorstley Quarries. In central Herefordshire it is known to grow on 

 the south side of Bishopstone Hill, and the Rev. R. H. Williams says that it 

 grows plentifully at Byford. Mr. Crouch reports it from his district in the north- 

 west, Mr. Lingwood from Llanthony, and I found it at Cublington, in the parish 

 of Madley. The flowers are white, with a sweet, though not powerful, scent of 

 almonds. They are spirally arranged, the florets all pointing one vcay, sometimes 

 from right to left, sometimes from left to right. It is an especial favourite with 

 humble bees. They begin with the lowest floret on the stem, and climb to the top, 

 extracting the nectar from each, "in the same manner as a woodpecker climbs up 

 the bark of a tree in search of insects " (Darwin). 



9. Orchis raascula, or Early Purple Orchis, the " Cuckoo flowers " of our 

 childhood and the " long purples " of Shakespeare, is probably the commonest of 

 our native Orchises. It is a beautiful plant with spotted leaves, and richly dyed 

 petals, and is well known as the earliest of the class. I have often found it in 



