OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 53 



12. Pogonia triaiithophora (Sw.) BSP. 

 [Reprinted from Vol. III.] 



A station of this beautiful little orchid was discovered by 

 the compiler on the shores of L,ake Winnipesaukee, Aug. 12, 

 1896. (?) At this time the plants were very abundant, often grow- 

 ing in dense clusters or colonies. In a single patch of leaf-mold, 

 about 14 by 8 inches in extent, no less than 120 plants were 

 found in full flower. The plants behaved badly in drying, and 

 specimens prepared for herbaria were very unsatisfactory. The 

 next visit to the station was on Aug. 27, 1897, when the plants 

 were very scarce and poorly developed. The last visit was on 

 Aug. 18, 1901. While not as abundant as when the station was 

 discovered, the plants were then sufficiently numerous and in 

 good condition. A number of clumps and of single plants with 

 the leaf-mold attached were packed in tin boxes with moss and 

 successfully transported, reaching botanical friends in Massa- 

 chusetts in fine condition. The collector having suspected, 

 from both the habitat and the habit of the plants, that they were 

 to some extent saprophytic or symbiotic, suggested to one of the 

 recipients of his plants, Mr. R. G. Leavitt, a critical examina- 

 tion of the root system. The examination tended to prove that 

 the plants are hemisaprophytes, deriving organic food from the 

 humus. It also showed a particularly clear case of "mykorhi- 

 za," certain fungi having penetrated the tissues of the root and 

 also sent hyphse from it in all directions, so that the root looked 

 as if clothed with root hairs. 



The paleness of the parts above ground and the feeble de- 

 velopment of the chlorophyll are very noticeable. As far as 

 observed, the plants all grow in leaf-mold and have no attach- 

 ment to the soil beneath. In fact, the layer of leaf-mold is 

 usually superposed on rock and the plants are most abundant in 

 the little hollows between angular fragments of the rock where 

 little or no other soil can have accumulated. The trees in the 

 locality are mostly hemlock, maple, oak and beech, meeting 

 white pine on the upper part of the slope. Other interesting 



