FLOWERS AND GRASSES. 8 1 



species is the Spotted Orchis, 1 with smooth shining 

 spotted leaves, and a dense spike of pinkish flowers. 

 There is also the Purple Orchis, 2 the Bird's-nest Orchis, 3 

 and the Helleborines, 4 with occasionally one or two 

 others. Many of the species prefer a calcareous soil, 

 and some of the most attractive grow on open downs. 

 They are all interesting and instructive when studied 

 by the light of modern investigation. 



The Stinking Iris 5 is one of the wild representatives 

 of the Garden Iris, or "Flag." It has sword-shaped 

 leaves and purplish flowers. When ripe, the three- 

 limbed capsule splits down each division and exposes 

 the bright red seeds. It is by no means uncommon 

 in the chalky woods of the South, but is rare in the 

 North. The leaves when crushed have a strong 

 odour, which is sickly and oppressive, but hardly foetid. 



The curious " Herb Paris " 6 is very local, but it 

 occurs generally in woods. It is one of the plants 

 which, when once seen, will always afterwards be 

 recognized, from its weird and singular appearance. 



The sweet little "Lily of the Valley" 7 we have 

 seen extending for a great distance over the ground in 

 some of the Kentish woods and elsewhere. 



" The lily-of-the-vale, whose virgin flower 

 Trembles at eveiy breeze, beneath its leafy bower," 



is sometimes called "Jacob's Ladder," and is con- 

 sidered the type of humility. The fragrance of its 

 fresh blossoms is universally admired, and it is by 



1 Orchis maculata. 5 Iris fotidissima. 



2 Orchis mascula. 6 Paris quadrifolia. 



3 Neottia nidus-avis. 7 Convallaria majalis. 



4 Cephatanthera. 



