THE VICT-ORIAN NATURALIST, 115 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



<Colluricincla harmonica. (Harmonious Shrike Thrush,) 

 Ptilotis leucotis. (White-eared Honej'-eater.) 

 Petroica multicolor (Scarlet-breasted Roliin.) 

 AcanthorhyncJius tenuirostris. (Spine-bill.) 



FOSSILS. 



Valuta undulata, Mytilus latus, Haliotis nKBVosa, etc., from the 

 Raised Beach, 



THE ORCHIDE^ OP VICTORIA. 



By C. French, Governmenl Botanist's Department. (I^aut 5.) 

 (Continued,) 



PiuRis. (Smith.) 



Dorsal sepal erect, rather broad, closely embracing the column at 

 the base, l ateral sepals narrow-linear, petals longer than the dorsal 

 sepal, ovate-elliptical or oblong, on slender claws ; labellum u sually' 

 as long as or rather longer than the dorsal sepal , deeply ^-lobed ; 

 column very short, the wings produced into lateral erect lobes, but 

 not continued behind the anther ; anther erect, often acuminate ; 

 pollen masses granular or mealy, witliout any distinct ciudicle ; 

 terrestrial glabrous herb-like plants with underground tubers ; leaves 

 narrow at or near base of stem, with a few sheathing bracts higher 

 up. Flowers 1, 2, or several in a t erminal raceme. 



Diuris maculata. ( Smith.) — This beautiful species which is very 

 distinct, is, I regret to say, fast disappearing in the immediate 

 vicinity of Melbourne, where it was in former years quite common. 

 In the country around Box Hill, Hawthorn, &c., it may still be found 

 though sparingly. During a recent trip to the Murray district, 

 numbers of it were seen and collected in the Murray Pine scrubs, 

 where it seems to thrive well. The flowers of this species are 

 yellow, with brownish markings, and give the plant a somewhat 

 striking appearance, and renders it of easy recognition. To grow 

 it well , it should be planted in a somewhat sandy soil mixed with 

 basalt rocks. It will stand plenty of water, and should if possible 

 be slightly protected from the direct rays of the sun. For pot 

 culture, I should advise the placing of say 12 tubers in a seed pan, 

 then with a little care the plants would bloom almost at same time, 

 and thereby form a very pleasing addition to the drawing-room or 

 cool conservatory. Height, from 6 inches to 1 foot, of somewhat 

 slender habit, flowers in October , November Found also in New 

 South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. 

 D. curvifolia^ is identical with this species. 



Diuris palusfrit. (Lindley.) — A very slender and somewhat rare 

 species, in appearance not unlike some of the smaller forms of 



