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of one part to another, and of the whole to other organized beings widely remote 

 in the scale of nature, be named more perfect than those presented by this Orchis. 

 As the flowers are visited both by day-and night-flying Lepidoptera, I do not 

 think that it is fanciful to believe that the bright purple tint (whether or not 

 specially developed for this purpose) attracts the day fliers, and the strong foxy 

 odour the night fliers." One feels while reading his remarks about 0. pyramidalis 

 that he is describing a complicated, delicate, and exquisite piece of machinery 

 rather than an English wild flower, commonly in many districts regarded as a 

 wayside weed. Douglas Allport has written some pleasing verses upon this lovely 

 flower, only one stanza of which I will quote : — 



Thus, when within my sunless room, 

 Heartsick and worn with Mammon's leaven, 



Thy pt/ramids of purple bloom, 



Blush through its loneliness and gloom. 



The spirit bursts its living tomb, 

 And basks beneath the open heaven. 



1.5. Gymnadenia conopsea, or Fragrant Orchis. This charming flower may 

 be found pretty plentifully within a few miles of Hereford. It is known readily 

 by its rose pink colour and its strong delicious perfume. I have for many years 

 gathered it in a damp meadow near Aconbury Hill. It may be found, very 

 sparingly, in most parts of our county during June and July, though it is 

 singularly little known and appreciated. Some of the localities named for it 

 are the Great Doward, Llanwarne, St. Weonard's, Orcop, Fownhope, and 

 Tedstone Delamere. Mr. Lees found it at Colwall and West Malvern. Mr. Ley 

 reports it to grow in a meadow at Tram Inn, and Sir George Cornewall told me, 

 some years ago, that it grows at Moccas. It has also been found in the Olchon 

 Dingle, and the head of Crasswall Valley. The Rev. E. H. Williams informs me 

 that it is common at Byford. 



16. Oymnadenia albida is extremely rare in this part of England, though it 

 is not infrequent in grassy mountain pastures, especially in the north. Its flowers 

 are very fragrant and cream-coloured. They grow in a somewhat dense spike, 

 and the stem is rather shorter than O. coiwpsea. Mr. Ley found about 30 

 specimens in a single six)t in June, 1880, growing in company with Habenaria 

 bifolia, in a hill-side meadow at the head of the Grwynne Valley. I found one 

 specimen only in June, 1868, in a meadow near Aconbury Hill, growing in 

 company with O. conopsea. I have often searched for it since in the same place, 

 but have not found it again. I showed it to the late Mr. Flavell Edmunds, who 

 called it -Habenaria albida, or small White Butterfly Orchis. Bentham gives it the 

 the same name. 



17. Habenaria chlorantha, or Great Butterfly Orchis, is a singularly handsome 

 plant. It has a long loose spike of greenish-white flowers, is well-known, and is 

 generally found in damp woods throughout the county. It is reported from every 

 district. The larger nocturnal Lepidoptera are much attracted by its strong 

 sweet odour, and the abundance of nectar which it yields. 



18. Habenaria bifolia, or Lesser Butterfly Orchis, is similar in outward 



