592 ORCHIDACE^B. 



single row, and in a spiral manner, in some specimens 

 from left to right, in others from right to left, round the 

 upper portion of the stalk. The flowers are fragrant in 

 the evening. The leaves form a tuft just above the 

 crown of the root, and wither before the flowers begin 

 to expand. These are succeeded by a tuft of new leaves, 

 which arise from the base of the old stem ; the latter 

 are remarkably tenacious of life, continuing to unfold 

 even while subjected to the pressure made on the blotting- 

 paper during the process of drying. Not uncommon in 

 dry pastures, flowering in September and October. 



Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchis). The distinctive cha- 

 racter of the flowers of this, curious plant is given in its 

 name, j and the same may be said of 0. muscifera (Fly 

 Orchis) ; both species occur in considerable abundance 

 in many of the limestone and chalk districts. No one 

 who has heard that plants exist bearing these names, 

 can doubt their identity, should they fall in his way. 

 The former of these flowers in June and July, the latter 

 in May and June. The Spider Orchises, Ophrys arach- 

 nites and 0. aranifera, are of rare occurrence. 



Epipactis grandiflora ( White Helleborine) grows from 

 1 foot to 2 feet high, bearing several rather broad leaves 

 on the stem, and a loose spike of large pure white flowers. 

 It grows in woods, being almost if not entirely confined 

 to a chalky soil, and flowers in June. Epipactis latifolia 

 (Broad-leaved Helleborine) and E. palustris (Marsh 

 Helleborine) are of similar habit ; the former bearing a 

 long loose spike of greenish-purple flowers ; the latter a 

 spike of flowers variegated with purplish-green, white 

 and rose-coloured. 



The above description includes all the Orchideous 

 plants which are of common occurrence. The rarer 

 species indigenous to Britain are : Orchis ustuldta 

 (Dwarf dark-winged Orchis), 0. fusca (Great brown- 

 winged Orchis), 0. militaris (Military Orchis), 0. tephros- 

 dnthos (Monkey Orchis), and 0. hircina (Lizard Orchis). 

 These grow only in chalk districts. 



