An erect glabrous robust herb, 40-85 cm. high ; leaves 2, 

 radical ovate-subrotund acute fleshy appressed to the ground, 

 10-22 cm. long, 8-18 cm. wide ; scape straight stout, the lower 

 sheaths erect-spreading cucullate membranous somewhat leaf-like 

 at the apex, the upper ones gradually smaller acute altogether 

 membranous ; spike densely many-flowered oblong or cylindrical 

 10-25 cm. long; bracts lanceolate acute membranous many-nerved, 

 the lower reflexed, shorter than the flowers, the younger erect ; 

 flowers spreading, somewhat nodding, among the large ones in 

 the genus perianth segments very slightly connate ; lateral sepals 

 obliquely oblong, abruptly acute spreading, 1-4 cm. long, the 

 intermediate narrower ligulate widened at the apex obtuse 

 deflexed as long as the lateral sepals; petals lanceolate acuminate, 

 serrulate from the middle to the apex, deflexed, as long as the 

 sepals ; lip galeate, the mouth somewhat rounded, apex free 

 reflexed cuneate acute serrulate, spurs filiform arcuate, a little 

 longer than the ovary, the whole including the spurs 4 cm. long ; 

 column deflexed at the middle in front ; rostellum subtriangular, 

 the intermediate tooth acuminate, tuberculate on each side at 

 the base ; glands lanceolate acuminate, approximate at the apex ; 

 stigmatiferous lobe rhomboidal, broader than long, margined 

 above and emarginate at the apex ; ovary oblong, about 1*7 cm, 

 long. 



Described from several living specimens sent by Mr. Hallack 

 from near Port Elizabeth, and dried ones. It is one of the hand- 

 somest of the genus, with bright carmine flowers deepening to 

 crimson on the back of the galea. It is most nearly allied to 

 S. membranaccnm and appears to occupy the same kind of wet 

 sandy coastal downs ; near Port Elizabeth the two species grow 

 together, and Mr. N. E. Brown in Hook Boi. Mag. tab. 7104 

 regarded them as one and the same species ; but they are very 

 easily distinguished by the very different shape of the rostellum, 

 one of the most important organs and one of the most trustworthy 

 for diagnostic purposes in this large genus. In my view I am 

 supported by the eminent South African botanist, Dr. R. Schlechter 

 {see Engl. Hot. fahrb., vol. xxxi., p. 148) who has paid particular 

 attention to South African Orchids, based upon the examination of 

 very many living specimens during a period extending over 

 many years. 



