62 



THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



T. arenaria, and T. versicolor, and T. graminea, are synonyms 

 of this species. Flowers in October and November. Found in 

 Victoria, JSTew South Wales, Tasmania, South and Western 

 Australia, and according to a list which I have received of the 

 Orcliids of IS'ew Zealand, it has been found in that colony also. 

 This will conclude the Victorian species in the section Cucvillaria. 

 Section 2. Macdonaldia, 



Thelymitra antennifera (Hooker. 'i This charming though 

 common species, is so well-known to most of you that a lengthy 

 description seems to me almost unnecessary. Stem erect, purplish, 

 wiry, and from 3 to 8 inches high, with the narrow linear rather 

 thick, leaves of carnea and flexuosa, but stouter than in the^ latter 

 species. Flowers 1,2, or rarely 3, yellow, (highly scented,) and 

 larger than those of T. carnea, but smaller than those o-f T. flexuosa, 

 column-wings with erect, dark-colored lateral appendages. In the 

 heath country, almost throughout the whole colony, this universal 

 favourite is to be met with, often in large numbers, and to see it 

 peeping out from amongst the beautiful Caladenia defovmis 

 reminds one of the lovely crocus borders of the old country. I know 

 of no other Terrestrial Native Orchid which is so higiily scented as 

 is this species, and as it dries well, and is easily grown, it is, as I 

 have before remarked, a great favourite with collectors of native 

 plants. To grow it well, place say 20 tubers in a deep, small seed 

 pan, use black, sandy soil with plenty of water when coming into 

 flower. This plant, which was formerly known by the name of 

 Macdonaldia antennifera, sp. (Lindley), is found in Victoria, South 

 and Western Australia. Flowers in September and October. 



Thelymitra McMillani (F. Mueller.) A rare and beautiful 

 species. Discovei-ed first by Mr. Thomas McMillan, late of our 

 Technological Museum, and one of our most respected horti- 

 culturalists, whilst bo'anizing in the ranges called Mt. Martha, on 

 the shores of our Bay. The specimen was submitted to Baron von 

 Mueller, who at once recognised it as a new species, and named it 

 after its discoverer. I forget the year in which it was found, but I 

 think about 1862, and this was the only specimen taken, but a few 

 years later, I, in company with Mr. C. Merton, of Law, Somner and 

 Co., of this city, found another plant beautifully in flower. This 

 was found between Frankston and Mt. Eliza, and the specimen was 

 presented by me to the Baron, who 1 believe, sent it to Dr. Hooker. 

 This Orchid is quite distinct in appearance from any of our native 

 species, although it seems to me to approach nearer to T. carnea 

 than to any other species. The color is a deep purple lake, and as 

 you will see by the specimen (kindly sent to me by Mr. Sullivan,, 

 who has again found several plants in his district), it dries well. I 

 have never tried to grow it, but I should think that the treatment 

 of T. carnea would suffice for this species. Mr. Bentham thinks 

 that it may possibly be a hybivid, but of this I am not competent to 

 form an opinion. Found in Victoria, by Messrs. McMillan, 



