138 ORCHIDACEOUS FLORA OF QUEBNSLAND. 



Miu^ller's dcscriiitionwas published in June, 1869 (Fragmenta, 

 V^II, 16). The plants Avhich constitute it, bear a strong 

 resemblance to each other as regards leaves, stature and 

 general habit, but much variation was observed in the 

 reproductive and accessory organs. These variations were 

 chiefly noticeable in the lateral lobes of the labellum and 

 in the spur, not only in different plants but actually on the 

 same spike. In one individual it was possible to find 

 flowers in A\hich the lateral lobes of the labellum were 

 symmetrical, extremely asj'mmetrical, or absent. These 

 lobes were usually small or deltoid in shape, but in one 

 flower the lobe on one side of the labellum Avas rudimentary^ 

 whereas on the other side its base was deltoid and its acum- 

 inate point attained at least half the length of the rather 

 long middle division In another spike the spur varied 

 from 1.5 mm. to 4 mm. in hmgth. In some- instances the 

 spur was extremely short, not exceeding .5 mm. The type 

 of spur common to all the plants was conical and incurved, 

 not filiform. The few plants available could be roughly 

 divided into those in Avhich the anther canals and stigmatic 

 processes were approximately' equal in length, and those in 

 which the anther canals were onl}^ about half the length of 

 the " processes." It Avas further noticed that the former 

 plants Avere pro Aided Avith rudimentary spurs, and the 

 latter as a rule Avith relatively long spurs. The suggestion 

 that some of these A'ariations might be the result of 

 kybridization AAas almost irresistible, but until ample and 

 suitable material is available, this polymorphic species must 

 continue to embrace Avithin its limits manj' doubtful forms. 



In the Queensland Herbarium, von Mueller's species 

 is represented by specimens collected by the Rca'. N. 

 Michael at Kelsey CI: , near Proserpine, Queensland. These 

 specimens are superficially Aery much alike. The leaA^es 

 are rather narroAver and shorter than in Dallachy's speci- 

 mens. They exhibit hoAAOver, similar a ariations to those 

 found in the latter. 



In some cases the lateral lobes of the labellum are 

 nearly as long as the middle lobe, and haA-e a tendency in 

 seA'cral instances to become cdrcinate. as in H. ochrolevca 

 Br. The leaf of the latter species is, however, very much 

 Ion er and wider, and the s])ur moi-e than douhle the length. 



