29 
THE ORCHIDS OF THE UPPER HODDER VALLEY. 
M. N. PEEL, 
Knowlsmere Manor. 
To the following observations on the variation and distribution 
of the orchidaceous plants of Upper Hodder is added a descrip- 
tion of the three forms assumed by Orchis incarnata and its 
supposed hybrid with O. maculata (recurva). As far as the 
specimens obtained in the neighbourhood in question are 
concerned it would appear that no hard and fast line of de- 
marcation can be drawn between the two species, but that under 
favourable conditions they will hybridise, producing inter- 
mediate forms. 
I am indebted to Mr. F. Arnold Lees for his notes on some 
of the specimens. 
ORCHIS MASCULA. Very common. In Knowl Hill Wood 
(limestone and very dry) the plants are extremely fine, 
the spikes reaching six inches in length. 
ORCHIS INCARNATA. Flowers in mid-July. Of this there 
are three forms (numbered I, 2 and 3 respectively). 
No. I occuis in three localities; (1) a bog on Ashnoti 
Farm ; limestone about 700 ft., with Nos. 2 and 3 and 
O. maculata. (2) a ditch on Gawker Faim, Yoredale or 
glacial drift, about 500 ft., by itself. (3) A bog on Slimro 
Farm, same subsoil as the last ; about 550 ft., with No. 2. 
Stem about i1 inches, stout, straight, stiff, hollow, 
brownish below the spike; spike I—2 inches, compact, 
even ; bracts biownish, three veined, longer than the 
twisted ovary ; flower, rose or dull pink, variegated darker ; 
sepals narrow, reflexed as in O. maculata ; tip not lobed, 
slightly compressed laterally ; spur stout, shorter than the 
ovary. Leaves four or five, green, unspotted sheathing, 
lanceolate, tapering pointed, concave, concave at tip.’ 
Tip of second leaf (and sometimes also of the third leaf) 
reaching to the summit of the spike, first leafshorter. This 
varies with the first leaf short and bract-like, hardly 
sheathing. 
Form No. 2. Occurs in the three following localities: (rz) 
Ashnott Bog with No. 1. plentifully (see above) ; (2) Slimro 
Bog, two or three plants also with No. 1; (3) a ditch on 
Fouiscales Farm (Yoredale, about 500 ft.) with No. 3. 
It is taller than No.. 1, spike longer, flowers the exact 
colour of dark O. maculata (recurva) ; lip more compressed 
than in No. 1 ; leaves reaching the base of the spike only ; 
varying smaller and less robust. In the specimens from 
Foulscales the leaves are wider, longer and stouter, reach- 
ing the summit of the spike, with a bractlike first leaf. 
Form No.3. The Hybrid? Ashnott Bog and Foulscales ditch. 
1913 Jan, I. 
