242 FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. [ Orchidee. 
sepal oblong, blunt; two back ones joined at the base; petals smaller, linear, blunt; Zip ovate, with a short claw and 
thickened point. Column very short, with very low two-lobed lateral pieces. Anther blunt. 
9. Prasophyllam tunicatum, Hook. fil.; caule gracili basi vagina fibrosa tunicato, folii vagina cauli 
eeguilonga, lamina brevi racemi dimidium equante, bracteis obtusis pedicello »quilongis v. ovarium sub- 
cylindraceum elongatum 4-equantibus, sepalis liberis ovato-lanceolatis petalisque longe acuminatis, 
labello unguiculato, lamina ovato-lanceolata acuminata, staminodiis amplis acuminatis subdentatis, anthera 
late oblonga longe apiculata. 
Has. Northern Island. East Coast, Colenso. 
Stem slender, covered at the base with a thick brown fibrous coat, and above with the sheath of the leaf, till 
close to the raceme, where the lamina begins, which is half as long as the raceme. Ovaries linear-oblong. Sepals all 
free, and petals ovate-lanceolate, acuminate. Zaöellum narrow, with a long claw. Staminodia large, sharp, toothed. 
Anther broadly oblong, with a long point. 
3. Prasophyllum pumilum ; radice tunicata, caule gracili basi vagina membranacea, folii vagina cauli 
eeguilonga, lamina brevi racemi dimidium eequante, bracteis parvis ovario breviter obovato 3-aquantibus, 
floribus minimis, sepalis liberis late ovatis acuminatis, labello unguiculato, disco carnoso incrassato margine 
membranaceo, column lobis lateralibus amplis 2-3-dentatis, anthera late oblonga mucronata. 
Has. Northern Island, Edyerley. East Coast, Colenso. 
The smallest New Zealand species; a span high. Tuber coated with reticulated fibres. Stem with a mem- 
branous sheath below, also covered throughout its length with the long sheath of the leaf, whose lamina is shorter 
than the raceme. Flowers bent down, minute, with very short ovaries. Sepals broad, acuminate. Lip jointed on 
to a long claw, linear-ovate, with a broad fleshy dise. Wings of the column large, broad, 2-3-toothed. dnther 
broadly oblong, mucronate. 
4. Prasophyllum nudum, Hook. fil.; caule vagina folii incluso, lamina brevissima acuta, bracteis 
brevibus obtusis, ovariis subcylindraceis, sepalis 2 posticis breviter connatis petalisque ovato-lanceolatis 
acuminatis, labello longe unguiculato, lamina lanceolata acuminata, staminodiis profunde bifidis, anthera 
breviter mucronata. 
Has. Northern Island. Port Nicholson and Taupo Lake, Colenso. 
Intermediate between P. tunicatum and P. Colensoi in most characters, differing from both in the leaf having no 
lamina. Ovary linear-oblong. Sepals and petals ovato-lanceolate, acuminate, two back sepals connate at the base. 
Staminodia membranous, large, deeply bifid. Anther broad, with a short mucro. 
Gen. VI. SPIRANTHES, Z. Rich. 
Sepala lateralia labello supposita, basi brevissime saccata; supremum cum petalis in galeam con- 
nivens. .Labellum breve unguiculatum, columnam brevem amplectens. Antkera dorsalis stipitata, rostello 
laminato apice bifido incumbens. Pollinia 2, glandule communi affixa.— Herbs plerumque foliose, 
terrestres. 
A large genus of Orchidee, one of the few found in most quarters of the globe. The New Zealand species is a 
small erect herb, a foot high. oot of thick fibres. Radical leaves 2 inches long, narrow linear-lanceolate, 
acuminate, narrowed into a long petiole. Stem covered loosely with acute sheathing bracts. Spike 1-3 inches 
long, spirally twisted. Bracts ovate, acuminate, nearly as long as the flowers. Ovary glandular-pubescent, broadly 
ovate, gibbous. Perianth small; sepals puberulous, two lower placed under the labellum, rather saccate below, 
linear-oblong, blunt; upper ovate, sharp; petals linear-oblong, blunt, forming a hood from conniving with the 
upper sepal Zip oblong, waved and crisped, with two glands at the base, its margins enclosing the short column, 
