224 PITHOEA. 



almost horizontal, branched and subdivided 

 like a coral ; the branches obtuse, and very 

 slightly compressed, destitute of capillary 

 fibres. Stem erect, simple, smooth, six 

 inches high. Leaves none, except three 

 sheaths, each longer and narrower than 

 that below it, which reaches above its base, 

 and all cylindrical, of a pale flesh-colour. 

 Flowers generally about eight or ten, 

 spreading in three roM's, occupying an inch 

 and half of the upper part of the stem ; all 

 equidistant, sessile, each with an acute 

 scale at its base, cloven with an obtuse 

 sinus. Germen oblong, striated, curved 

 slightly outwards, but at length becoming 

 erect and rugged. Calyx of three oblong, 

 narrow^ acute, purple-tipped, concave, 

 equal leaves, longer than the petals, one 

 of them being superior, the others inferior. 

 Petals three : two of them ovate, adhering 

 by their edges, constituting an upper lip ; 

 their summits reddish : the lowermost a 

 flat, reflexed, obtuse, white lip, sprinkled 

 with purplish dots near its base. 



