330 



appearance to the last, though smaller. Bentham and some other botanists 

 regard them as varieties of each other. But a close examination reveals many 

 permanent differences, and Mr. Darwin observes, "I cannot doubt that the 

 larger and lesser Butterfly Orchids are distinct species, masked by close external 

 similarity." It is found throughout our county, and it is needless to particularise 

 localities. Neither of these plants suggests the idea of a butterfly, and it is 

 difficult to understand how they ever became so designated. 



19. Hahenaria viridis. Frog Orchis. There appears to be even less reason 

 for calling this the Frog Orchis than there is for naming the two last-mentioned 

 flowers the " Butterfly." It is a small plant, and is very inconspicuous. Its stem 

 is six or eight inches high. Each floret has a green helmet, and a greenish brown 

 lip. It is not uncommon on pastures, chiefly in hilly districts, but probably its 

 colour prevents its being readily observed. It has been reported from almost 

 every district in our county. 



20. Ophrys apifera. Bee Orchis. There is no mistaking this charmingly 

 pretty flower. The stem varies from six to twelve inches in height, and generally 

 bears a few distant florets. The ovate sepals, which resemble wings, are generally 

 of a delicate lilac tint ; the petals are small and narrow, sometimes the same 

 colour as the sepals, and sometimes greenish-white ; the lip, which looks so like 

 the body of a bee, is brown, variegated with yellow, and is soft and velvety. 



The Orchis race with varied beauty charm 

 And mock the exploring bee, or fly's aerial form. 



This plant is not common in our county, and, unfortunately, where it grows it is 

 in danger of being exterminated by too-zealous or too-selfish collectors. Hence it 

 is undesirable to mention the localities where it may be found. It may be looked 

 for on limestone and cornstone pastures and banks, especially the latter. It 

 grows in great abundance on the chalk downs of our southern and eastern 

 counties. It is a noteworthy circumstance, and deserves special recognition, that 

 O. apifera has been, during this season of 1885, abnormally abundant, and has 

 been found in several new localities in our county. From one place alone more 

 than fifty plants were brought to me, and the gentleman who found them said he 

 "could have gathered more than a hundred flowers in a space not more than'five 

 yards square." (Numerous specimens were produced.) 



21. Ophrys muscifera. Fly Orchis. This plant is much rarer than the Bee 

 Orchis. It has been found on the Great Uoward both by Mr. Purchas and Mr. 

 Ley. It was found in 1850 upon the Little Dovvard. Mr. Ley discovered it in 

 1880 on Coppet Hill, and again in 1883. Mr. Watkins has picked several flowers 

 on the Great Doward this year. There are no other well authenticated localities 

 for this pretty Orchis in our county. I have gathered it frequently, year after 

 year, in Surrey at the end of May and the beginning of June. Its florets are 

 about the size of a common house fly. The greenish sepals resemble the wings, 

 and its slender lateral inner sepals are not unlike the antennae of an insect ; while 

 the narrow brownish-purple lip, which is two-lobed at its extremity, has a pale- 

 blue spot in the centre. 



