127 



and i^horter than galea. Labellum always trristed, and pro- 

 truded through sinus. Column at least as long as labellum. 



(c) P. cucullata (Br.) Leaves and bracts much larger, 

 more crowded, and sessile. The upper bract is very large, and 

 partially envelopes the flower. rolnts of lower se-pals acu- 

 minate, incurved, and not longer tlian galea. Column longer 

 than labellum. Labellum narrow at base, widening into a 

 broad blunt extremity. 



P. 'pedunculata, ciirta, and cucullata begin to bloom in 

 this State in August, and it is unlikely that even the latest 

 blooms will extend into November. They represent three 

 such distinct types that it is difficult to understand how any 

 confusion can have arisen between them and furcata, and, in 

 particular, how the latter can have been regarded as a variety 

 of cucullata. 



(d) P. acuminata (R.Br.) This is a New South Wales 

 species. It blooms in April, after the early rains, and this 

 alone suffices to distinguish it from furcata. The bracts are 

 small and sheathing, the lobes of the lower lip are wider and 

 more lanceolate than in furcata, and the labellum projects 

 through the sinus. 



The time of blooming of P. furcata may be placed at No- 

 vember to January. 



III. — Caleana major (R.Br.). 



This species has an interesting history so far as this State 

 is concerned. It was not known to occur here until December, 

 1901, when a single specimen was discovered by Mr. T. A. Wil- 

 son at Mylor. This specimen is now in Mr. Tepper's collection. 

 Although diligent search was made for further examples of 

 this species it was fruitless until the end of November, 1906, 

 when Mr. E. H. Lock found a few more specimens on Mount 

 Lofty. Just a month later a very large number of specimens 

 were collected for me at Dingabledinga (near Willunga) by a 

 resident of that place. It may therefore now be placed con- 

 fidently among the native orchids of this State. 



Description. 



Plant varies from 7 to 12 inches high. 



Flowers, one or two, reversed, reddish-brown. 



Leaf solitary, 2 to 3 inches long, slightly sheathing at the 

 base, narrow-lanceolate, glabrous, generally reddish, with very 

 distinct mid-rib. 



Stem green or reddish-brown, wiry, with one tightly- 

 sheathing bract a little above the insertion of the leaf, and 

 another subtending each flower. 



