ORCHIDACE^ 



slight differences from the type. The stems are shorter, about 

 2 cm. in length, tumid at the base. The plants are much smaller 

 with the lanceolate leaves 1 dm. long, 1.5-3 cm. wide, promi- 

 nently five-nerved. The peduncle including the raceme is about 

 1 dm. long. The auricles of the labellum are 1 mm. long. 



Leyte, C. a. WenzelOGJ^l^ November 12, 1914. Epiphyte. Flowers lilac. 

 600 meters altitude. 



Malaxis propinqua Ames sjj. nov. Herba parvula, terrestris, 

 8-15 cm.alta cum racemo,di- vel trifoliata. Caulis aliquid crassus, 

 2-3 cm. longus, ad basim tumidus vel bulbosus, bracteis tubu- 

 latis scariosis vestitus. Folia succulenta, conferta, inaequalia, 1.5- 

 4 cm. longa, 7-33 mm. lata, lanceolata et valde ovata, subacuta, 

 subcordata, amplexicaulia, conspicue quinque- ad septemnervia 

 in sicco. Scapus cum racemo 5.5-12 cm. longus, longitudinaliter 

 sulcatus, infra racemum paucibracteatus. Bracteae inflorescentiae 

 ± 3 mm. longae, anguste lanceolatae, acuminatae, in sicco scario- 

 sae, dependentes. Racemus 2-7 cm. longus. Pedicellus cum ova- 

 rio circa 1 mm. longus, bracteis multo brevior. Sepala lateralia 

 2.5 mm. longa, elliptica, obtusa. Sepalum dorsale circa 3 mm. 

 longum, ellipticum, obtusum. Petalalinearia,±3mm. longa. La- 

 bellum crassum, 5 mm. longum, obscure trilobulatum infra co- 

 lumnam, subpanduriformi-sagittatum, apice profunde bifido, basi 

 auriculata; auriculae falcatae, subacutae, circa 1 mm. longae. 

 Callus in disco crescentiformis. Columna generis. 



The nearest ally of Malaxis propinqua seems to be M. Mackin- 

 nonii {Duthie) Ames comb. nov. {Microstylis Mackinnoniil^uthie 

 in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 71, pt. 2 (1902) 37). In general aspect 

 there is a striking similarity between these two species, although 

 M. propinqua appears to be normally smaller in its vegetative 

 parts. The callus on the disc of the labellum in M. propinqua 

 is a raised fleshy rim which divides the blade into basal and 



[ 289 J 



