278 OECHIDACEJE. 



the root resemble a bird's nest. Both, these species grow in the 

 Swaledale woods ; this one is more frequent than the Heart- 

 leaved Twayblade, which I have only found in one place. 



The Fragrant Lady's Tresses (JSTeottia spiralis), represents 

 the next family. It grows on the downs near Brixton Deverill, 

 in Wiltshire. The flowers are white, with green calyces and 

 bracts, and no spurs ; they all turn to one side, and the stem 

 twists. The odour is very delightful. 



The Large White Helleborine (Epipactis grandiflora), grows 

 in woods in the Warminster neighbourhood. It is a tall plant, 

 . with a few large, white, half-open flowers. It is, I think, the 

 prettiest member of the Helleborine family. The leaves are 

 broad lance- shaped, and grow at intervals up the stem, which 

 is a foot high. 



Here is the Broad-leaved Helleborine (E. latifolia) ; it comes 

 from a wood near Kenilworth. The spike is crowded with 

 flowers at first green, but becoming brown as they get older ; 

 they all turn to one side, and the ovate-pointed leaves clasp 

 the stem. It flowers a month later than the White species, 

 never opening its petals till August. 



There is a Marsh Helleborine (E. paliistris), with beautiful 

 white flowers, which grows in a marsh near Skeeby, in the 

 Richmond neighbourhood. It is a noble plant. There are a 

 Narrow-leaved Helleborine, and a Purple Helleborine ; the two 

 first have white flowers, and the last purple ones. We are not 

 fortunate enough to have specimens of any of them ; they are 

 all rare plants. 



The same may be said of the two members of the Bog Orchis 

 family, the last in the Orchis tribe ; they have spreading petals 

 and no spur. The Two-leaved species (Malaxis Loeselii),is peculiar 

 to Ireland and Jersey ; the Least Bog Orchis to Ireland alone. 



The IBIS order comes next, and includes, besides the family of 

 its own name, those of the Ixia and the Crocus. The various 

 hues in the flower have procured for the Iris its name, and it 

 has many interesting associations. Our common garden Iris is 



