56 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



C. Deform IS. (R. Brown.) 



A small species, usually only slightly hairy, and rarely above 6 

 inches high. Leaf linear, sometimes rather long. Scape with a 

 single blue flower, larger than in C. ccerulea. Sepals and petals 

 nearly equal, 7 to 8 lines long, linear-oblong or lanceolate, rather 

 obtuse, slightly contracted to\s'^ards the base, the dorsal sepal 

 more erect than the others, and concave. Labellum with an 

 erect linear claw of 2 to 3 lines, the lamina ovate, recurved, 

 more or less fringed on the margin. Calli of the disk oblong- 

 linear or slightly clavate, very numerous and crowded, sometimes 

 covering the whole of the reflexed portion of the lamina, fewer 

 and smaller along the claw. Column narrowly winged the whole 

 length. Point of the anther short. 



This charming little sp. is doubtless one of the most beautiful 

 of our native orchids. Blooming in spring time, its rich blue 

 flowers contrast well with the yellows, whites, and other gaily 

 coloured plants of the Victorian heath-grounds and elsewhere, and 

 I know of few prettier sights than when the Caladenias, Glossodias, 

 Thelymitras, and the many different kinds of shrubs are in 

 flower in the Cheltenham and neighbouring districts, which, as 

 collecting grounds, are not, in my opinion, surpassed by any in 

 the colony, or, at least, within easy distance of Melbourne. C. 

 deformis then may be easily recognised by its colour and, for its 

 size, very erect habit. The labellum of this sp. is a study in 

 itself, and the whole plant, though small, is most interesting, 

 being of easy removal and cultivation, remaining a long time in 

 flower, and being perfectly hardy, and drying well, these good 

 qualities causing it to be a general favourite amongst collectors 

 of the native orchideae. To grow it well, procure a couple of 

 dozen tubers, place them in a shallow pot or pan in black sandy 

 soil, and water well whilst growing. In the Cheltenham, 

 Brighton, Frankston, and other districts, both near the coast and 

 also inland, this sp. may be found growing in great numbers, and 

 generally in small clusters or bunches. It flowers about from 

 September to the end of October, but probably later in the 

 up-country districts. This sp. was formerly known to most of us 

 as C. barbata, but Robert Brown's name is now adopted, the 

 former being with C. unguiculata, given as synonyms Found also 

 in New South Wales, South Australia, and in Tasmania. 



FiKLD Club in Sydnky.- -A meeting of those interested in the formation 

 of a Natural History Association was held in the School of Arts j'esterday. 

 Mr. Jas Inglis, M.P. (Minister of Public Instruction), presided. The Rev. 

 "Robert Collie, in proposing a resolution in furtherance of the object in view, 

 said there was a similar association in Victoria, and it was well supported. 

 If they could enlist the sympathy of the young the society would be a success. 

 — Sydney telegram from the '''' Age," i^!/i jfiily, 1S87 



