64 



■the a.iitero-lateral aspect of the ovary. The dorsal sepal is 

 obtuse and galeate ; the lateral ones are flat and linear, lying 

 behind the labellum, which completely hides them in a front 

 view of the flower. Lateral petals are transverse, fairly 

 wide, shorter than the labellum, and slightly re-curved. 



The lahdlum is orbicular, with entire margin. There is 

 no appearance of crenulation in fresh specimens. Upper sur- 

 face is somewhat concave. 



The column is very minute, with distinct linear auricles. 

 The rostellum is protuberant, and shows as a dark dot below 

 the galea of the dorsal sepal. The anther-case is galeate and 

 bi-loculate, the caudicle is long. 



Two varieties were observed, one green, and the other a 

 reddish-brown, the colouration apparently not depending on 

 the age of the plant. 



It will be seen that it differs from all Australian species of 

 Mirroth in the shape of the labellum; and from all but 

 at rata and piilchella in the absence of recurved lateral sepals. 

 From atrata, which is the most minute species recorded, it 

 further differs in point of size^ colour (the colour of at rata. 

 being very constant in this State — a yellowish-green), and in 

 the fact tiiat the lateral sepals are not hidden by the labellum 

 in this pigmy form. M . pvlcheUa has broad lateral sepals, 

 and a contraction in the middle of its oblong labellum, which 

 readily distinguish it from the new species. 



On account of the inadequate descriptions of M. qxirvifora, 

 this is indeed the only form with which it is likely to be 

 confused. Here, however, the lateral sepals are recurved and 

 not hidden by the labellum; the labellum is rectangular, 

 generally with crenulate margins; the flowers are not sessile, 

 and the large clasping bract is absent. M. orhicjilari.^i fur- 

 ther differs from this, and, indeed, all eastern species, in the 

 marhefl avpiilation in the upper part of the stem. 



Dkschii'tion ok Pr.ATE XX., Fig. 1. 



J. Fiont view, showing: f/..s., dorsal Kepal : /.p., lateral 

 petals; /., labellum; h., bract (showii rather large in this figure); 

 0., ovary, 



B. Side view, showing, in addition to the above: — l.s., late- 

 ral sopals (hidden by labellum in A). 



